Iowa Medicaid informs over 20,000 members of data breach

The personal and medical information of 20,800 Iowa Medicaid members was exposed in a data breach at a third-party vendor managing the state’s health insurance program.

The breach occurred at a Florida-based company called Independent Living Systems (ILS). According to a March 14, 2023 notice, the company learned of unauthorized access to its systems on July 5, 2022.

“Through our response efforts, we learned that an unauthorized actor obtained access to certain ILS systems between June 30 and July 5, 2022,” the notice reads. “During that period, some information stored on the ILS network was acquired by the unauthorized actor, and other information was accessible and potentially viewed.”

The post also recorded a list of potentially compromised information (which varies by individual), including:

• Name, date of birth and physical address
• Driver’s license, state identification and Social Security Number
• Financial account information
• Medical record number, Medicare or Medicaid identification, CIN#
• Patient name and health insurance information
• Mental or physical treatment/condition information
• Food delivery information
• Diagnosis code or diagnosis information alongside prescriptions and billing/claims information

All affected Medicaid members will receive free credit monitoring and are advised to watch out for identity theft crimes.

While the stolen data can be used for fraud, Medicaid members should also be wary of signs of medical identity theft, such as:

• You start receiving bills for medical services you did not order
• Debt collection agencies contact you about past dues on debts you do not owe
• Your credit report shows medical collection notices you don’t recognize
• Your medical records show false listings for treatments and medical services
• You are denied insurance and/or your medical records show conditions you do not have

To avoid becoming a victim, check medical records and notices for unusual listings or activity and immediately report any irregularities to your financial and healthcare provider.

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