Important Information About Your Personal and Health Information
Dear HCHC Patient:
Hilltown Community Health Center (HCHC) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal and health information. We are writing to make you aware of a recent data security incident involving DentaQuest, LLC, a dental health plan and administrator that may have maintained information related to your dental benefits or services.
What Happened?
DentaQuest recently reported a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to its computer network. According to information reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), DentaQuest identified unauthorized activity involving its network and subsequently conducted an investigation to determine what information may have been affected.
HHS currently reports that the DentaQuest incident may affect approximately 15 million individuals. (OCR Portal)
This incident occurred within DentaQuest’s systems. It was not a cybersecurity incident involving HCHC’s computer systems.
What Information May Have Been Involved?
Depending on the individual, information maintained by DentaQuest may have included personal, insurance, or health information. Potentially affected information may include:
- Name and address;
- DentaQuest or member identification information;
- Medicaid or Medicare identification information;
- Social Security number;
- Dental or vision health information;
- Provider information;
- Diagnosis or treatment information; and
- Billing or claims information.
Not all individuals were affected, and the specific information involved may differ from person to person.
What Is HCHC Doing?
HCHC takes the privacy and security of patient information seriously. We are communicating this information to patients who may have been affected and are working to understand the information provided by DentaQuest regarding the incident.
HCHC has not experienced a security incident involving its own systems as a result of this DentaQuest incident.
DentaQuest is responsible for investigating the incident and determining which individuals and information were affected. Patients who are directly identified by DentaQuest as being affected may receive a separate notification from DentaQuest with additional information and instructions.
What Should You Do?
If you receive a letter or other communication from DentaQuest concerning this incident, please carefully review the information provided.
As a precaution, we recommend that you:
- Review your health insurance, dental insurance, and financial account statements for unusual activity.
- Review explanations of benefits (EOBs) and claims for services you do not recognize.
- Be alert for unexpected calls, emails, or letters requesting personal, insurance, financial, or Social Security information.
- Do not provide personal information in response to an unsolicited request unless you have independently verified who is contacting you.
- Follow any additional identity-protection or credit-monitoring instructions provided directly by DentaQuest.
DentaQuest may provide eligible individuals with complimentary identity-protection or credit-monitoring services. If you receive a DentaQuest notification, follow the instructions in that notification to determine whether you are eligible for these services.
What If I Have Questions?
If you have questions about whether your information was involved in the DentaQuest incident, please contact DentaQuest using the contact information provided in your DentaQuest notification.
If you have questions about your care or services at HCHC, please contact:
Hilltown Community Health Center
HCHC Phone Number: (413)238-5511
HCHC Privacy Officer/Privacy Office Contact Information: Dr. Michael Purdy, CEO
www.hchcweb.org
Please do not include Social Security numbers, medical record numbers, insurance identification numbers, or other sensitive information in an unsecured email.
Our Commitment to You
HCHC understands that information about a data security incident can be concerning. We value the trust you place in us and remain committed to protecting the privacy and security of your information.
We will continue to monitor information provided by DentaQuest and will provide additional information to affected patients if appropriate.
Sincerely,
Hilltown Community Health Center
