21st Oncology Data Breach May Affect California Patients

Florida-based 21st Oncology, which operates 145 facilities across the United States and 36 in Latin America, has announced that 2.2 million patients’ personal information may have been accessed following a massive data breach of the company’s database back in early October, including patients in California.

In a regulatory filing, 21st Oncology said approximately 2.2 million current and former patients are being notified that their names, Social Security numbers, physicians’ names, diagnoses, and treatment and insurance information may have been copied and transferred as a result of the 21st Century Oncology data breach. These pieces of information can be used to commit identity theft or obtain medical care, drugs or benefits under a false alias.

According to a statement sent to a CBS TV affiliate in Florida, on Nov. 13, 2015 the FBI notified 21^st Century Oncology that a third party had illegally obtained its patients’ information. 21st Oncology then hired a forensic firm to conduct an investigation, which determined that the attacker conducted the data breach hack on October 3, 2015.

The company began notifying patients, including those in California, about the data breach just last week, according to the recent filing with federal regulators. 21st Oncology stated that federal investigators requested the company delay notifying the public to avoid interfering with their investigation.

“The FBI asked that the company delay notification or public announcement of the incident until March 4, 2016 so as not to interfere with its investigation,” 21st Century Oncology stated in a press release. “Now that law enforcement’s request for delay has ended, the company is notifying patients and regulatory agencies as quickly as possible.”

While there’s no indication at this point that any of the information was misused, 21st Oncology is offering all those affected one free year of access to identity theft protection services. This protection will also include California patients.

News of the breach follows two other recent major public relations blows for the company: a $19.75 million whistle-blower settlement in December related to claims of improper billing for bladder cancer tests, and a $34.7 million settlement announced in early March related to claims of improper radiation testing.

Who is Affected?

If you were one of the 2.2 million former or current patients of 21st Century Oncology, you are encouraged to visit the company’s website at https://www.21co.com/SecurityIncident to see if your physician may be employed or affiliated with 21st Oncology. 21st Century Oncology employs or is affiliated with hundreds of physicians in many different specialties.

21st Oncology has also established a call center for individuals with questions regarding the data breach, which can be accessed at 1-866-446-1405, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

California 21^st Oncology Data Breach Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

A class action lawsuit investigation has been launched to examine the actions of 21st Oncology. If you live in California, and you believe that your personal information may have been compromised in the 21st Oncology data breach, you may have a legal claim.

Join a 21st Century Oncology Data Breach Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If your information was compromised in the 21st Century Oncology data breach, you may be eligible to join a free class action lawsuit investigation

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