Data Breach at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas suffered a data incident that may have exposed customer’s information over several months.
It took place on its Blue Access for Members (BAM) online portal, where individuals can access information about their membership, according to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Its investigation detected activity affecting “certain” registrations that may have caused the disclosure of some member data between Nov. 8, 2024, and March 5.
“As soon as we were aware of the activity, we took actions to help address unauthorized potential access to BAM,” the organization said in an emailed statement.
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Affected Individuals and Response
Individuals who are affected are being notified by mail and are eligible for one year of free identity protection services.
Data breaches continue to plague businesses and organizations around the country even as cybersecurity services work to stay ahead of the technology challenges. That includes Dallas County, Parkland Health and Landmark Admin, an insurance service. Last year, the Identity Theft Resource Center tracked 3,158 data compromises that resulted in over 1.3 billion notices going to individuals.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas takes the security and privacy of our member and employee data very seriously,” it said.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is the state’s largest health and accident insurer with a 25% market share, taking in more than $15 billion in premiums in 2023, according to the Texas Department of Insurance.
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Recent Developments
News of the breach comes after members learned two major North Texas medial systems are no longer in-network for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas insurance plans. The company failed to reach an agreement with Southwestern Health Resources, which includes the medical providers and hospitals at Texas Health Resources and UT Southwestern.
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Conclusion
The data breach at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and the need for organizations to take steps to protect their members’ and employees’ data. The company’s response to the breach, including notifying affected individuals and offering free identity protection services, is a positive step towards mitigating the damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the data breach at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas?
The data breach occurred on the company’s Blue Access for Members (BAM) online portal, where individuals can access information about their membership. The breach may have exposed customer information over several months, between Nov. 8, 2024, and March 5.
How many people were affected by the breach?
The company has not released the exact number of individuals affected by the breach. However, those who are affected are being notified by mail and are eligible for one year of free identity protection services.
What is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas doing to respond to the breach?
The company took actions to help address unauthorized potential access to BAM as soon as they were aware of the activity. They are also notifying affected individuals and offering free identity protection services.
How can I protect myself from identity theft?
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft, including monitoring your credit reports, using strong passwords, and being cautious when sharing personal information online. If you are affected by the breach, you can also take advantage of the free identity protection services offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.
