Clinical Pathology Laboratories, Inc. Notifies Patients of Data Security Incident

AUSTIN, Texas, July 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinical Pathology Laboratories, Inc. ("CPL") has been informed by Retrieval Masters Creditors Bureau d/b/a American Medical Collection Agency ("AMCA") of a data security incident involving the AMCA payment website.  AMCA is an independent collection agency that CPL and many other entities used for debt collection. The incident is limited to AMCA's systems.  The security of CPL's systems was not affected by this incident.

According to AMCA, on March 21, 2019, AMCA became aware of facts indicating there had been a data security incident. After conducting an investigation, in May of 2019, AMCA notified CPL about the incident and informed CPL that an AMCA database containing information for some CPL patients had been affected. However, at the time of AMCA's initial notification, AMCA did not provide CPL with enough information for CPL to identify potentially affected patients or confirm the nature of patient information potentially involved in the incident, and CPL's investigation is on-going. Based on the information provided by AMCA, the following information belonging to CPL patients may have been affected by the incident: patient names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, dates of service, balance information, credit card or banking information and treatment provider information.  AMCA has advised CPL that its patient's social security numbers were not involved in the incident.  CPL does not provide AMCA healthcare records such as laboratory results and clinical history. 

In response to the breach, AMCA sent notification letters to approximately 34,500 CPL patients informing them that their names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, dates of service, balance information, credit card or banking information and treatment provider information may have been impacted.  In addition, based on the investigation and the information provided by AMCA, CPL estimates that approximately another 2.2 million patients may have had their names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, dates of service, balance information and treatment provider information impacted by this incident.  For these patients, credit card and banking information is not impacted.  The impact of this incident is limited to patients whose accounts were referred for debt collection and who reside in the United States.

Individuals with questions about this incident or questions about precautionary steps they can take may call 833-300-6927 for additional information.

CPL takes the security of its patients' information very seriously, including the security of data handled by vendors. As a result of the investigation, CPL is no longer using AMCA for collection efforts.

The privacy and protection of patient information is a top priority.  CPL greatly appreciates the patience and loyalty of its patients as it works to respond to this incident.

SOURCE Clinical Pathology Laboratories, Inc.