Sep. 9, 2022
Availity, LLC., a subcontractor for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), recently experienced a data breach that affects approximately 1,100 BCBSKS members. The frequently asked questions below are here to help you understand what happened, what Availity and BCBSKS are doing now and how you can continue to safeguard your personal information.
FAQs
Between June 16 and June 22, 2022, there was unauthorized access to a provider payment portal that Availity operates on behalf of BCBSKS. Our investigation concluded that the primary goal of the unauthorized users was intercepting payments that BCBSKS made to hospitals. This was not successful.
The information in the Availity system includes things like date of service, provider name, billing code for services received, amounts billed and paid, patient name and insured ID number. It is important to note that none of your financial information or Social Security numbers are contained within this system.
Only 1,100 BCBSKS members statewide were at potential risk. Availity has mailed letters of notification to each of these members.
Availity and BCBSKS value keeping your personal information safe. As soon as we discovered the incident, we shut off access for these accounts and required authorized users to recertify their access credentials with us. There is no evidence that your personal information has been accessed. However, BCBSKS is offering one year of credit and identity monitoring protection through Experian IdentityWorks at no cost to you. This service also includes $1 million of identity theft insurance, identity restoration and coverage for children under 18.
While you do not need to take any action and there is no evidence that your personal information has been accessed, there are actions you can take to further protect your information if you wish.
If you have questions about this matter, please contact the BCBSKS customer service at 800-432-3990 or visit bcbsks.com. Credit monitoring services can be arranged by contacting customer service or calling the BCBSKS Privacy Office at 800-432-3990 or 785-291-7309. Protecting your information is important to us. Please know that we take your privacy very seriously and deeply regret any worry or inconvenience that this may cause you.