Attorney General Alerts District Consumers to Protect Themselves in Wake of Premera Blue Cross Security Breach

Washington State-Based Insurance Company’s Breach May Have Affected District Residents

Washington, DC – In the wake of another breach of a major health insurance provider’s records, Attorney General Karl A. Racine today alerted District residents to be vigilant about their personal information.

Premera Blue Cross recently reported that a security breach it discovered in January meant that the personal information (including names, Social Security numbers, banking information and medical records) of as many as 11 million of its customers and business associates might have been exposed.

The news comes shortly after a similar reported attack on Anthem, the nation’s second-largest health insurer, which affected District residents.

“This latest attack underscores the importance of all District residents taking measures to monitor and safeguard their identities and credit,” Attorney General Racine said. “There are multiple resources available to you if you have reason to believe you’ve been exposed in this particular breach or any other.” 

Although Premera’s customers are mostly located in Washington state and Alaska, some current and former Premera customers and business associates who now live in the District might have been affected. The company reports that the initial security breach occurred on May 5, 2014 and that records dating back to 2002 have been accessed.  In addition, the breach affects Premera Blue Cross affiliates Premera Alaska Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, Vivacity, and Connexion Insurance Solutions, Inc.

Premera has established a website (http://www.premeraupdate.com/) with more information about the attack and resources available to those whose information may have been exposed. The company has said it will provide affected individuals with two years of free credit-monitoring services and identity-theft protection through the credit agency Experian. 

Premera has also established a dedicated call center for its members and other affected individuals. If you believe you may have been affected by this security breach and have not received a letter from Premera informing you about it by April 20, 2015, the company encourages you to call 1-800-768-5817, Monday through Friday, between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time (8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern).

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