Posted On August 4, 2022 Consumer Privacy & Data Breaches
August 4, 2022 – On August 1, 2022, First Choice Community Healthcare, Inc. reported a data breach after the company confirmed that an unauthorized actor may have accessed or stolen sensitive information belonging to patients. Based on an official filing from the company, the incident resulted in an unauthorized party gaining access to the following data types: patients’ names, Social Security numbers, and protected health information. After confirming that consumer data was leaked, First Choice began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals who were impacted by the recent data security incident.
If you received a data breach notification, it is essential you understand what is at risk. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are actively investigating the First Choice data breach on behalf of people whose information was exposed. As a part of this investigation, we are providing free consultations to anyone affected by the breach who is interested in learning more about the risks of identity theft, what they can do to protect themselves, and what their legal options may be to obtain compensation from First Choice Community Healthcare, Inc.
According to an official notice filed by the company, on March 27, 2022, First Choice discovered unusual activity on its computer system, leading the company to believe it may have been the victim of a cyberattack. In response, First Choice enlisted the assistance of an independent cybersecurity firm to investigate the incident and determine if any patient data was compromised as a result.
The company’s investigation confirmed that an unauthorized party was able to access, and may have removed, patients’ personal and protected health information.
Upon discovering that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, First Choice Community Healthcare then reviewed the affected files to determine what information was compromised and which consumers were impacted. The company completed this process on June 3, 2022. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name, Social Security number, First Choice patient ID number, diagnosis and clinical treatment information, medications, dates of service, health insurance information, medical record number, patient account number, date of birth, and provider information.
On August 1, 2022, First Choice Community Healthcare sent out data breach letters to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident.
More Information About First Choice Community Healthcare, Inc.
First Choice Community Healthcare, Inc. is a healthcare system based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. First Choice operates nine facilities across three New Mexico counties, including:
First Choice Community Healthcare employs more than 435 people and generates approximately $63 million in annual revenue.
At Console & Associates, P.C., our consumer privacy lawyers monitor all security and data breaches to help affected consumers pursue their legal remedies. We offer free consultations to victims of data breaches and can explain your rights in clear, understandable terms so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed with your case. If you’ve been affected by the First Choice data breach or any other data security incident, Console & Associates, P.C., will investigate your case at no charge and offer you thorough advice about how to most effectively proceed with your case. If you decide to bring a case, we only get paid if you do. If your claim is successful, any legal fees are either paid by the defendant or come out of the funds recovered from the defendant. If your claim doesn’t result in a recovery, you will pay nothing.
To schedule your free consultation, just call (866) 778-5500 today or fill out our secure contact form.
Below is a copy of the initial data breach letter issued by First Choice Community Healthcare, Inc.:
Dear [Consumer],
First Choice Community Healthcare, Inc., (“First Choice”), is a community healthcare provider headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which experienced a data security incident that may have involved personal and protected health information belonging to certain individuals who sought medical treatment or services at First Choice. First Choice has sent notification of this incident to potentially impacted individuals and provided resources to assist them.
On March 27, 2022, First Choice became aware of a possible data security incident involving its technological environment. Following discovery, we engaged an independent cybersecurity firm to investigate the scope of potential access to the First Choice environment, and whether sensitive information may have been affected. The investigation subsequently revealed that certain personal and protected health information may have been accessed or acquired without authorization. We then initiated a comprehensive review of the potentially impacted data to determine the types of personal and protected health information involved and identify the potentially impacted individuals. Following completion of the review of data, we then worked diligently to gather current contact information needed to notify all potentially affected individuals. This process was completed on June 3, 2022.
First Choice is not aware of any evidence of the misuse of any information potentially involved in this incident. However, on August 1, 2022, First Choice provided notice of this incident to the potentially impacted individuals. In so doing, First Choice provided information about the incident and about steps that potentially impacted individuals can take to protect their information. First Choice takes the security and privacy of information in its possession very seriously and is taking steps to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future.
The following personal and protected health information may have been involved in the incident: names, Social Security numbers, First Choice patient ID number, diagnosis and clinical treatment information, medications, dates of service, health insurance information, medical record number, patient account number, date of birth, and provider information.
First Choice has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and to address related concerns. Call center representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm Mountain Time and can be reached at 1 (833) 423-1900.
The privacy and protection of personal and protected health information is a top priority for First Choice, which deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.
