Over a million Geisinger patients in PA may have had info stolen

DANVILLE, Pa. (WTAJ)– More than a million patients of Geisinger Health may have had their information compromised after a fired Nuance employee was found accessing accounts.

Geisinger is notifying patients that some personal information may have been accessed by a former third-party employee from Nuance Communications — an outside vendor who provides technology services for the healthcare system.

Geisinger discovered that on Nov. 29, 2023, a former Nuance employee accessed certain patient information two days after they were terminated. Geisinger said that Nuance immediately shut down the former employee’s accounts and access to their records and an investigation was launched.

Through the investigation, Nuance determined the former employee may have accessed and taken information from more than one million Geisinger patients, including date of birth, address, admit and discharge or transfer code, medical record number, race, gender, phone number and facility name abbreviation.

Geisinger stated that no claims or insurance information, credit card or bank account numbers, other financial information, or Social Security numbers were accessed by Nuance’s former employee.

It was noted that after law enforcement was involved, the unnamed former employee will be facing federal charges.

“Our patients’ and members’ privacy is a top priority, and we take protecting it very seriously,” Jonathan Friesen, Geisinger’s chief privacy officer said. “We continue to work closely with the authorities on this investigation, and while I am grateful that the perpetrator was caught and is now facing federal charges, I am sorry that this happened.”

At the request of law enforcement to not slow the investigation, Geisinger waited to inform patients of the possible breach

Geisinger encourages those who have received a notice to review the information and call 855-575-8722, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. with any concerns.

Patients whose information was involved in the incident are encouraged to review the statements they receive from their health plan and contact their health insurer immediately if they see services they did not receive.

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