Ernest Health Hospitals Data Breach

Will Gendron

Editor in Chief

Published

April 8, 2024

Updated

June 28, 2024

Ernest Health

Types of INFORMATION affected

Names
Social Security Numbers
Dates of Birth
Addresses
Government IDs
Medical Info
Financial Info

Hospital Network Data Breach

On February 1, 2024, Ernest Health was alerted to unusual activity within its Information Technology (IT) systems. Subsequent investigations revealed that an unauthorized party had gained access to the IT network from January 16, 2024, to February 4, 2024. During this period, the intruder accessed and potentially acquired files containing sensitive patient information. The compromised data includes names, addresses, dates of birth, medical record numbers, health insurance plan member IDs, claims data, diagnosis, and prescription information. For some individuals, Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers were also exposed.

Ernest's Response to the Data Breach

Upon discovering the breach, Ernest Health secured and isolated the affected IT systems to prevent further unauthorized access. The organization engaged a third-party cybersecurity firm to assist with the investigation and has been in communication with law enforcement to address the situation. As part of their response, Ernest Health began mailing notification letters to potentially impacted patients on March 29, 2024. They have also offered complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services to those whose Social Security numbers or driver’s licenses may have been compromised.

Steps to Take if You Are Affected

If you believe your information was involved in this breach, it is crucial to stay vigilant and take the following steps to protect your identity:

Monitor your financial accounts for any unauthorized transactions and alert your financial institution immediately if you notice anything suspicious.
Review the statements from your health plan. If you find services you did not receive, contact your health insurer right away.
Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports, which will warn creditors to take extra verification steps before opening new accounts in your name.
Take advantage of the complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services offered by Ernest Health. You can enroll by calling the dedicated toll-free response line at 844-563-2187, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding major U.S. holidays.

For more detailed information and to view the official Notice to Consumers, please visit the Texas Attorney General's website.