AFLAC

AFLAC, the covered entity (CE), reported that multiple business associates (BA) were victims of an email phishing scheme that affected the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 4,186 individuals. The ePHI involved included names, addresses, birthdates, Social Security numbers, clinical information, claims data, and health insurance information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and posted substitute notice on its website. The CE performed a forensic investigation and offered free credit monitoring services to affected individuals. In its mitigation efforts, the BA implemented additional administrative and technical safeguards to better protect ePHI. OCR provided technical assistance to the CE on the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule. OCR obtained assurances that the CE and BA implemented the corrective actions noted.