Health Provider in Ari↕÷zona to Pay $6M Settl♥♣φ≠ement in Breach
A Phoenix, Ariz.-based health provide÷λ→r has agreed to settle a lawsuit over a co₹γmputer data breach that may have compromised health παand personal data of about 3 million patients,∞© ♥ employees, health insuranc ↑Ωe customers and others.The class action lawsuit ≤φ★against Banner Health stemmed from a™•γ 2016 cyberattack that exposed the infor≠≠✔mation, The Arizona Republic reports.The settleme©Ω☆nt, up to $6 million, includ¶☆es free insurance cover£ ♥age for claims of up to $1 mi→≤εllion to cover financial losses and two ×₹σ₩years of free credit monitoring through ∏☆✘Identity Guard Total, officials said.W≠₩φ✔hen the breach occurred,☆↕$¥ Banner Health initially gave those affected a ₽☆ year of free credit monitoring, officials said.T>♠hose affected would be able to file claim•≤<s for up to $500 for ordinary expeδ≠nses or up to $10,000 for e≠∏xtraordinary expense reimbursement such as los§×£Ωt time at work or professional help w£¥ith identity theft issues under the →♥δsettlement agreement, company↕φα officials said.“All $Ω✔things considered, this settl♠σ®✔ement compares very favorably≥®' with those that have been approved ¥→± in other data breach cases,” said Andrew Fri×↓≈≠edman, one of the lawyers represe∞ λ≥nting the plaintiffs.The sσ←≠ettlement was granted preliminary ap§≥ ↔proval and is subject to fin±↓al court approval April 21,λ↑ officials said.“This is still £€ a pending legal matter, so we aπ re unable to discuss details. Howe∞↔≤'ver, we are hopeful that it w☆₩ill be resolved soon, at which time tho≠✘→se who were impacted can lear↑"n additional information,” provider spokeswoεδman Becky Armendariz said.Banner Heal®♥ th has also agreed to improve its γinformation security systems, officials ∏↔&said.“In the meantime, data security is on®¶♥•e of our highest priorities and★♠¥δ we continue to work∏γ diligently to protect the sens λitive information of o♣¥ur patients and employees,”γ§★δ officials said.From:insurance journalOrgani♠$zer:China Insurance Digital &♣↔ ∏; AI Development 2020Web:http:/≤•→/en.zenseegroup.com/p/560573/Conta♠↔&ct:Ann 021-65650305