Georgia health insurer sends letters with personal data to wrong people

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Story Published: Jul 29, 2008 at 10:28 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 29, 2008 at 11:13 AM EDT

ATLANTA (AP) - The largest health insurer in the state has sent letters containing personal information to the wrong addresses, exposing more than 200,000 Georgians to possible identity theft.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the letters were sent last week by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. They include the patient's name and ID number, the name of the medical service provider and the amounts charged and owed.

A company spokeswoman said ``a small percentage'' of the letters
also contained Social Security numbers.

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine said the matter is ``very, very serious.''

He has ordered the company to give written notice to policyholders whose names were on the Explanation of Benefits letters and compile a list of names of those who mistakenly received the forms.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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