WebTPA Discloses Data Breach Affecting 2.4 Million People

WebTPA, a third-party health plan administrator, disclosed a data breach that has impacted approximately 2.4 million individuals. According to the notification on its website, the WebTPA breach occurred between April 18 and April 23, 2023, and was detected on December 28, 2023. WebTPA provides administrative services to various health plans and insurance companies and is a subsidiary of GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation.

The data breach allowed unauthorized access to sensitive personal information, including full names, contact details, dates of birth, dates of death (where relevant), Social Security numbers, and insurance information. While not every data element was compromised for each individual, the breadth of exposed information poses significant risks, which include identity theft and phishing attacks.

Many of those affected are customers at insurance companies such as Gerber Life Insurance, Transamerica, and The Hartford.

Upon discovering the suspicious activity, WebTPA launched an investigation with the help of third-party cybersecurity experts and notified federal law enforcement. The company initiated measures to mitigate the threat and further secure its network. By March 25, WebTPA had confirmed the extent of the impacted data and informed the affected benefit plans and insurance companies.

WebTPA communicated the breach to the US Department of Health and Human Services and published a notice on its website detailing the nature and scope of the incident. The company stressed that financial account information, credit card numbers, and medical treatment or diagnostic information were not affected by the breach.

In a bid to support those affected, WebTPA is offering two years of complimentary identity monitoring services through Kroll. This service includes credit and identity theft protection, along with fraud consultation. WebTPA has reassured individuals that there is no evidence of misuse of the exposed information to date.

However, it advises everyone to remain vigilant against potential fraud and identity theft. Affected individuals are encouraged to review their credit reports and Explanations of Benefits (EOBs) for any suspicious activity and to contact the relevant entities if they detect any anomalies.