Horizon BCBSNJ offers members free identity protection and credit monitoring services following data breach at affiliate company

NOTICE REGARDING BREACH OF SECURED DATA AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD SISTER COMPANY

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey provides administrative and network services for the I.U.O.E. Local 825 Welfare Plan (“Plan”). The Blue Cross Blue Shield system is made up of 37 independent, locally operated companies across the U.S.  Through this system, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is able to offer members with “in network” health insurance benefits while living or traveling in the coverage areas of any other Blue Cross Blue Shield company.  One the companies included in the Blue Cross Blue Shield system is Anthem, Inc. (“Anthem”).  Anthem operates under a variety of names including  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, and Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield (New York).

Anthem recently discovered a cyber-attack on one of its databases.  The breach of security resulting from this cyber-attack may have impacted participants of the Plan because they live in or received health care services in an area that Anthem services.   After conducting an extensive review, Anthem advised the Plan that it is aware of only two (2) of the Plan’s participants directly impacted by this breach in that their information may have been accessed.  These participants have been notified directly by Anthem of the breach, and they have been enrolled in an identity theft repair and credit monitoring program at Anthem’s expense.

We have no information suggesting that the Plan’s other participants have been affected by this incident.  However, we wanted to make all of our participants aware that Anthem has agreed to provide identity protection and credit monitoring services free of charge to all persons who have been covered in plans administered by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.  This includes participants of the Plan.

We encourage you to visit www.AnthemFacts.com to find out more information about the identity protection services and how to enroll