Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS), the parent organization for two NYSHIP HMOs: Blue Choice and HMO Blue and MedAmerica, the administrator of the New York State Public Employee and Retiree Long Term Care Insurance Plan (NYPERL), reported a cyberattack that may have compromised member data. Empire Plan members who live or work in the Excellus operating area (Rochester, Syracuse and Utica) may also have been affected. Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, member identification numbers, addresses, phone numbers, financial account information and claims information of members were potentially impacted.  On September 9, Excellus BCBS began mailing letters to its members with an offer of free credit monitoring by TransUnion and identity theft protection services through Kroll, a global risk mitigation industry leader.  Excellus is in the process of identifying the specific affected members and hopes to complete this process by early November.

NYSHIP recognizes that enrollees of these HMOs, MedAmerica and The Empire Plan are concerned about this situation and that they will have questions about their personal information. Please direct inquiries to www.excellusfacts.com or 1-877-589-3331 . The web site includes a FAQ and will be updated as additional information becomes available.