LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement today alerting Arkansans to the availability of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services following a data breach at Change Healthcare in February.
“In March, I launched an investigation into the cyberattack against Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group, Inc., to determine whether Arkansans’ confidential medical and personal information was compromised and whether other laws were violated,” Griffin stated. “Unfortunately, after publicly stating that the data breach could impact up to one-third of all Americans, Change Healthcare has not yet provided individual notice to consumers. The delay in notifying Arkansans affected by the breach is unacceptable, and I am issuing this alert regarding Change Healthcare’s public offer of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services.”
Griffin emphasized that because Change Healthcare has not yet provided notice to individuals, Arkansans should utilize available resources such as free credit monitoring.
Change Healthcare is recognized as the nation’s largest electronic data clearinghouse. Its technological infrastructure supports tens of thousands of providers, pharmacies, and insurers in verifying insurance, confirming pre-authorization for procedures or services, exchanging insurance claim data, and performing other administrative tasks essential to healthcare delivery.
The company is offering all Arkansas residents who believe they may have been impacted two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protections. However, the dedicated website and call center will not be able to provide details about whether specific individuals' data was affected. Change Healthcare has not determined the actual number or identities of affected consumers.
Griffin also advised consumers to be vigilant for potential warning signs that their medical information might be misused.