Community Health Network, a private not-for-profit healthcare system operating throughout Central Indiana, recently announced a data breach at one of its affiliate health organizations, Fishers Digestive Care. This unfortunate event has raised concerns about the safety and privacy of personal health information for Community Health Network patients.
In this article, we will provide comprehensive information about the Community Health Network data breach and what patients need to know to protect their personal health information.
What Happened?
On January 14, 2023, Community Health Network announced a data breach at Fishers Digestive Care, one of its affiliate health organizations. The exact details of the breach are yet to be disclosed, but patients of Community Health Network may be at risk of having their personal health information exposed.
What Information Was Exposed?
It is unclear exactly what information was exposed in the data breach. However, as a healthcare provider, Community Health Network holds a significant amount of personal health information for its patients, including names, addresses, birthdates, and medical information.
What Are the Consequences of the Data Breach?
The consequences of the data breach are yet to be determined. However, patients of Community Health Network should be aware that their personal health information may have been exposed and could be used for malicious purposes. Additionally, patients of Community Health Network may find themselves receiving targeted ads from Facebook and Google that mention their medical conditions.
What Can Patients Do to Protect Their Personal Health Information?
Patients of Community Health Network can take the following steps to protect their personal health information:
Monitor their accounts for suspicious activity
Place a fraud alert on their credit report
Review their medical bills for errors
Check their explanation of benefits statements
Consider purchasing identity theft protection
What is Community Health Network Doing to Address the Data Breach?
Community Health Network has not yet provided information on the steps they are taking to address the data breach. However, patients should expect to receive updates and additional information from the healthcare provider in the near future.
Conclusion
The data breach at Community Health Network's affiliate health organization, Fishers Digestive Care, is a serious concern for patients of the healthcare provider. Patients should be proactive in protecting their personal health information by monitoring their accounts for suspicious activity and taking the necessary steps to secure their information.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.