Heartland Community Health Center recently announced a data breach that exposed sensitive patient information.
What happened
On November 27, 2024, Heartland Community Health Center (HCHC) publicly disclosed a data breach after discovering that an unauthorized party had gained access to an employee’s email account. This breach potentially compromised sensitive consumer information, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, dates of birth, medical records, Medicare/Medicaid numbers, and health insurance details. Following an internal investigation, HCHC began notifying affected individuals about the security incident.
Going deeper
The breach was first detected on October 1, 2024, when HCHC identified unusual activity in an employee’s email account. In response, the organization reset all employee passwords and engaged a team of cybersecurity specialists to investigate the incident. Preliminary findings indicate that the unauthorized party accessed confidential patient information, but the full extent of the breach is still being evaluated.
After confirming the exposure of sensitive data, HCHC conducted a thorough review to identify the impacted individuals. The organization subsequently issued data breach notification letters to affected consumers, detailing the specific information that may have been compromised.
What was said
In a data breach notice, HCHC noted that the breach allowed an unauthorized user access to their network between 1 October and 2 October 2024. In response, they launched an investigation. “On February 4, 2025, Heartland received the National Change of Address (NCOA) results for the notice population and identified approximately one resident of New Hampshire who may have been affected by this incident,” they said. Through the investigation, HCHC “reset email account passwords and reviewed our policies and procedures relating to this incident.” As an added precaution, they are also providing access to credit monitoring and identity protection services to affected individuals.
“Individuals have the right to place an initial or extended fraud alert on a credit file at no cost. If individuals are a victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert lasting seven years. As an alternative to a fraud alert, they have the right to place a credit freeze on a credit report,” the report says. HCHC has advised individuals to educate themselves on “identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps to protect their personal information by contacting the credit reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or their state Attorney General.”
Why it matters
The exposure of personal and medical information puts affected individuals at risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and potential misuse of health data. Victims may face long-term consequences, including unauthorized transactions, medical identity fraud, and compromised personal security.
This breach stressed the need for investing in cybersecurity measures to protect patient information.
See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
FAQS
What is a data breach?
A data breach occurs when unauthorized individuals gain access to confidential or sensitive information, often leading to potential misuse of personal or financial data.
Go deeper: What is a data breach?
What should I do if I am affected by a data breach?
If you receive a notification regarding a data breach, immediately review your financial and medical records for suspicious activity, change your passwords, and consider enrolling in credit monitoring services.
Tshedimoso Makhene
