Yesterday, Premera announced that it has been the target of a sophisticated cyberattack and is in the process of reaching out to impacted subscribers. In the meantime, we wanted to make sure that you were aware of the incident and provide more information.

Premera has set up a dedicated website with more information: www.premeraupdate.com This website includes FAQs, details on how to sign up for two years of free credit monitoring services and guidance on additional steps people can take to protect themselves. Premera also has a dedicated call center for anyone affected by the attack, you and your clients can reach that team on 1-800-768-5817.

Below is notice that we received from Premera yesterday:

Premera Cyberattack Announcement

Today, we are announcing that Premera Blue Cross has been the target of a sophisticated cyberattack. The security of our members’ personal information, as well as the information of those with whom we do business, is a top priority for Premera and we regret any concern this incident may cause.

What information may have been accessed?
The attackers gained access to our Information Technology (IT) systems and may have gained access to the personal information of our members, along with the information of our producers, employer customers, healthcare providers and other people and organizations with whom we do business.

That information could include name, date of birth, address, telephone number, email address, Social Security number, medical claims information and bank account information. It’s important to note that our investigation has not determined that any such data was removed from our systems. We have no evidence to date that such data has been used inappropriately.

We’re taking three key steps to address this situation:

1. We’re offering everyone affected, including our producers, two years of free credit monitoring and identity protection services from Experian. Anyone who believes they were affected by the attack can begin signing up for those services today. No enrollment code is necessary.
2. We notified the FBI as part of our investigation and have been coordinating with their own investigation into this attack.
3. We worked with Mandiant, one of the world’s leading cybersecurity firms, to both investigate the attack and cleanse our IT system of the infection created by that attack.  We’re taking additional steps to strengthen and enhance the security of our IT systems moving forward.

Where to get more information
We’re sending more information to all those whose information may have been accessed during the attack, starting March 17. We’ve set up a dedicated website www.premeraupdate.com where you and your clients can get more information. The website includes a message from our President and CEO, Jeff Roe, FAQs, details on how to sign up for two years of free credit monitoring services and guidance on additional steps people can take to protect themselves. We have a dedicated call center for anyone affected by the attack, you and your clients can reach that team on 1-800-768-5817.

Source:  AWB HealthChoice & Premera Blue Cross