The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently revealed that hackers have broken into one of the agency’s online healthcare registration systems and compromised the data of 75,000 individuals.
The CMS stated in a press release dated Oct. 19 that its personnel had monitored “anomalous activities†on the Direct Enrollment pathway, a system used by insurance brokers and agents to guide clients applying for health coverage. The agency subsequently began an investigation into the anomaly on Oct. 13 and confirmed the data breach by Oct. 16.
The CMS said it has since deactivated the Direct Enrollment system as well as the agent and broker accounts linked to the suspicious activities.
Meanwhile, Seema Verma, administrator for the CMS, said that her agency is in the process of identifying the individuals affected by the attack, adding that “[we] will continue to work around the clock to help those potentially impacted and ensure the protection of consumer information.â€
Verma also assured the public that enrollment can still be carried out through the Marketplace Call Center and the HealthCare.gov website, which continue to be operational.
