Anthem Blue Cross posts Social Security, tax numbers of 24,500 doctors
In a departure from most medical privacy cases, Anthem Blue Cross said it accidentally posted online Social Security or tax identification numbers for about 24,500 California doctors.
[Updated 1:03 p.m. PST Nov. 25: An Anthem spokesman said Monday that 24,500 doctors were affected, up from the previous 5,900 figure issued by the company.]
Anthem, a unit of insurance giant WellPoint Inc., said the private information was mistakenly included with its online provider directory for about 24 hours late last month.
The state’s largest for-profit health insurer said once it identified the error, it removed the information from its website. Anthem said this breach didn’t involve any patient data.