Wellmark statement regarding Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's security breach

DES MOINES, IA (Feb. 5, 2015) – In light of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s recent security breach, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield wants to reassure our members, employees, providers and brokers that Wellmark’s data systems have not been impacted by Anthem’s recent security breach.

It’s important to understand that Wellmark and Anthem* are separately managed companies. Anthem, like Wellmark, is one of 37 Blue Cross Blue Shield plans nationwide. The significance of Anthem’s breach is still being assessed and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

There is potential impact, albeit small, to some Wellmark members if they live or received services outside of Iowa and South Dakota in areas covered by Anthem. For those members, we believe only limited data would have been accessed, such as a Wellmark I.D. number (not social security number), which could not be used to steal someone’s identity.

As a standard practice, Wellmark has our own protection and strategies in place to combat these types of advanced persistent threats. We have also taken information from Anthem to confirm that there was not the same threat within our systems.

Anthem is offering a number of protections for anyone impacted including credit protection and monitoring. We are working closely with Anthem to learn more and will communicate with any impacted members when we receive more information.

* Anthem is present in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.