Quest Diagnostics Says Nearly 12 Million Patients Records Exposed in Data Breach
Quest Diagnostics has confirmed a data breach that exposes 11.9 million patients records that includes financial data, Social Security numbers, and medical information.
Quest Diagnostics is lab testing provider of diagnostic testing, information, and services that patients and doctors used to make better healthcare decisions.
The breach happened through a contractor of a contractor, Quest outsource billing services to Optum360, which in turn using American Medical Collection Agency(AMCA) to handle that service.
“AMCA has informed Quest Diagnostics that an unauthorized user had access to AMCA’s system containing personal information AMCA received from various entities, including from Quest.”
According to Quest, the attackers gained unauthorized access to billing systems from August 1, 2018, to May 31, 2019. Quest said it doesn’t receive any other additional information about the security incident from AMCA.
“AMCA first notified Quest and Optum360 on May 14, 2019, of potential unauthorized activity on AMCA’s web payment page.”
The leaked information includes the medical data and other personal data, Quest confirms the lab results were not exposed as it was not provided to AMCA.
“Quest is taking this matter very seriously and is committed to the privacy and security of our patients’ personal information. Since learning of the AMCA data security incident, we have suspended sending collection requests to AMCA.”
“Quest will be working with Optum360 to ensure that Quest patients are appropriately notified consistent with the law.”
Quest said it was working with AMCA and Optum360, as well as the external forensic investigators to determine the potential impact of the damage.
This post Quest Diagnostics Says Nearly 12 Million Patients Records Exposed in Data Breach originally appeared on GB Hackers.
