Pana Community Hospital Responds to Change Healthcare Data Breach: Important Information for Our Patients
Pana Community Hospital is committed to safeguarding the personal information and privacy of our patients. Recently, we were informed of a data security incident involving Change Healthcare, a third-party company that provides billing, claims, and payment processing services for healthcare insurance and medical providers. The breach, which occurred in February 2024, potentially exposed sensitive patient information to unauthorized individuals.
What Happened
Change Healthcare reported that an unauthorized party gained access to certain data files. At this time, there is no indication that this information has been used maliciously, but the breach may affect patients who have interacted with Pana Community Hospital’s billing or claims systems within the past several years.
While Pana Community Hospital’s internal systems have not been directly breached, the data exposed through Change Healthcare may include personal information such as names, addresses, birthdates, medical information, and in some cases, Social Security numbers. This breach is part of a wider incident that is affecting hospitals and healthcare providers across the country.
Our Response
We are working closely with Change Healthcare to understand the full scope of this incident and to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect the affected data. Change Healthcare has already begun notifying individuals whose information may have been compromised, in accordance with federal and state regulations.
What Should Patients Do?
If you receive a letter from Change Healthcare notifying you that your information was involved in the breach, we recommend taking the following steps immediately:
- Follow the instructions in the letter – Change Healthcare is offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. Enroll in these services as soon as possible to safeguard your personal and financial information.
- Monitor your financial accounts and health insurance statements – Be vigilant for any unusual activity. Report any unauthorized charges or discrepancies to your bank, credit card company, or health insurer immediately.
- Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze – If your Social Security number was exposed, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file to make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You can also request a credit freeze to prevent potential identity thieves from accessing your credit report.
Protecting Your Information
At Pana Community Hospital, the privacy and security of our patients are of utmost importance. While this incident originated from Change Healthcare, we understand the concern it may cause. We are committed to working closely with Change Healthcare and regulatory authorities to resolve this issue and ensure the continued safety of your personal information.
For Further Information
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the toll-free number on the letter you received – 1-866-262-5342, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m CT.
