StarCare Specialty Health System is in the process of notifying individuals regarding an unauthorized disclosure of protected health information. The breach of confidential information may have affected nearly 2, 900 individuals who received Intellectual Developmental Disabilities program services, Behavioral Health program services, and Therapeutic Treatment Community services from StarCare Specialty Health System.
On Monday, May 30, 2016 StarCare discovered that one or more people broke into a StarCare/StarQuest office at 3315 East Broadway in Lubbock, Texas. Five lap-top computers were stolen from the office. Only one laptop had confidential information that the burglar can access. The affected laptop was disabled to reduce any harm. Additionally, one box of paper files may have been viewed by the suspect.
The following information may have been exposed; Names, Medical Record Numbers, Telephone Numbers, Diagnosis, Admission and Discharge Dates, Dates of Birth, Social Security Numbers, Medicaid Numbers and Medicare Numbers.
At this time, StarCare does not have any evidence that confidential information was misused. If you are a StarCare client and you believe that your information has been misused as a result of this breach, please file a report with your local police, sheriff, or both. Make sure to get a copy of the police report for your records. Affected clients should also give a copy of the police report to their banks, credit card companies and the credit bureaus.
StarCare has taken action to reduce or eliminate the chances of an event like this happening again including improving the facility’s security features and ensuring that all computers are encrypted.
StarCare is giving one year of free identity monitoring to those clients who may have been affected by this breach. This service will provide credit monitoring, identity monitoring, identity theft insurance and fraud restoration services. Signing up for this program will not affect your credit score. If you are a client you will receive a notification letter. If you have not received your letter or wish to determine if you are a part of the impacted population, please call 1-866-599-2071.
To answer any questions or address any concerns, please contact the following toll-free number 1-866-599-2071.
(News release from StarCare Specialty Health System)
