After a data breach in which hackers gained access to the personal information of about 80 million Anthem customers and employees, a spokesman for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine says it's not yet clear how many Maine customers have been affected.
But Rory Sheehan say the company will contact those who have, by mail, in the coming weeks.
In a statement, Sheehan said the hackers didn't get any credit card or medical information. But they did access names, birthdays, Social Security numbers, street addresses, email addresses and employment information, including income data.
The New York Times reports that Social Security number, birth date and name combinations are very popular and lucrative targets for hackers, fetching even more than credit card numbers.
The federal government is also investigating whether the personal information of Medicare beneficiaries - who comprise a major customer base for Anthem - was stolen.
Anthem, the nation's second-largest health insurance company, offers Medicare Advantage health insurance plans, Medicaid managed care coverage, and subsidized insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
The FBI is investigating the attack, and the company says it has hired an Internet security company to improve its network defenses.
Anthem is offering free credit monitoring to affected customers, and has set up a website, www.anthemfacts.com, and a toll-free number, 1-877-263-7995, which has recorded information on the breach. Beyond its written statement, Anthem of Maine has not commented on the breach.
