- Social security numbers have been revealed in a public database
- The database was used to populate a Medicare file
- The library was launched by CMS as part of the Trump administration’s plans to modernize Medicare
A directory created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has revealed the social security numbers of a number of US health care providers.
The Trump administration introduced a new Medicare portal as part of plans to modernize American healthcare technology.
However, a database that was part of the library was left publicly available, revealing providers’ names and social security numbers.
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Private data exposed
The library, which included the database, was created to help seniors in need of care find out which doctors and medical providers were compatible with their health insurance companies.
The database, downloaded and examined by Washington Postwas publicly available as part of CMS’ efforts to comply with data transparency efforts.
Unbeknownst to CMS, the database contained some of the providers’ social security numbers, which CMS says were entered into the database by mistake. CMS explained that the error “stems from incorrect entries by provider or provider-representative-supplied information in the wrong places.”
“The agency has taken steps to address it promptly and strengthen safeguards around data submission and validation,” CMS added.
CMS did not explain how many Social Security numbers were exposed, nor any information about whether providers had been informed of the exposure. The database was removed after Posten notified the health authorities.
Speaking to the Post, an anonymous doctor said: “I don’t even know how [Medicare officials] would get my CPR number.”
The modernization of US Medicare under the Trump administration has faced a number of past failures, including inconsistent or duplicative insurance coverage, which has drawn criticism from some Democrats.
Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) wrote a letter to CMS in November saying, “We are concerned that this rushed rollout will mislead millions of seniors when they compare plans and could cause seniors and people with disabilities to incur medical bills that they reasonably thought would be covered.”
For healthcare providers who believe their Social Security number may have been exposed, Microsoft recommends taking the following steps:
- Place a temporary fraud alert on your credit to alert credit bureaus of suspicious activity
- Download an updated copy of your credit report
- Escalate all unrecognized accounts to the Federal Trade Commission
- File a police report so there is an official record that your identity has been stolen
- File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Notify the tax authorities
The best protection against identity theft for all budgets
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