Glacier Medical Associates announces data breach
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 4 months AGO
Glacier Medical Associates announced Tuesday the medical practice detected and stopped a data security breach that occurred April 7.
According to a press release, Glacier Medical Associates immediately engaged third-party forensic specialists to assist with securing the network environment and investigate the extent of any unauthorized activity. The investigation concluded May 10.
“GMA has found no evidence that specific individuals’ information has been misused,” the release noted. “However, due to the compromise of GMA’s network, GMA has notified all potentially affected individuals of this incident.”
As of Tuesday, Glacier Medical Associates had not received any reports of related identity theft since the date of the incident.
Glacier Medical Associates Practice Administrator Kelli Meuchel said the medical practice’s legal counsel has advised the business not to divulge the number of patients potentially affected, and could only say all potentially affected individuals will be notified.
The practice on Thursday will mail notification letters that include additional information about what occurred, outlining the specific personal information that could have been exposed for that individual, and providing a toll-free number individuals can call to learn more about the incident, according to the press release. The call center, managed by IDX, can be reached at 1-833-406-2403, and is available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mountain Time.
Meuchel also could not say whether the security breach was a ransomware incident. Glacier Medical Associates does have cyber insurance, she added.
The incident was reported to the FBI, Meuchel said.
Dr. John Kalbfleisch, president of Glacier Medical Associates, said in a prepared statement, “the privacy and protection of sensitive information is a top priority for us. We deeply regret any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.”
Based in Whitefish, Glacier Medical Associates expanded last fall when it opened medical offices in the Cedar Palace complex in Columbia Falls on Nov. 1.
The independent practice offers urgent care, primary care and specializes in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and geriatrics.
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