Notice of data event from former third-party vendor

CHICAGO, Sept. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ICS Collection Service Inc. recently notified the University of Chicago Physicians Group of a potential incident that may have affected the protected health information of up to 1,344 patient files.

The potential breach of information occurred within the network of ICS, a collection agency that once was retained by the University of Chicago Physicians Group (UCPG) for address verification and to help secure payment on past-due accounts. The contract with ICS ended before the potential breach occurred; however, ICS retained data on 1,344 patient claims that were active at the time the contract was terminated. ICS said it discovered an external person may have been able to view these files while on the ICS website.

While this potential breach of information occurred at a former third-party service provider, the University of Chicago Medical Center is committed to the confidentiality and security of patients' protected health information and demands this same level of commitment from its business associates and vendors. UCPG has sent a courtesy follow-up letter to ensure those patients who may be affected have the information they need regarding this case.

At this time, ICS has confirmed it has no knowledge of any actual or attempted misuse of the protected health information of our patients. ICS has assured the University of Chicago Medical Center that it has taken all necessary and appropriate steps to secure this information and mitigate any personal financial risk to those potentially affected patients. As part of its breach mitigation program, ICS has offered those who may be affected one year of free credit monitoring.

For additional information, please contact ICS toll-free at 877-322-8228 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. You may also visit ICS's website at www.ics-collection.com. Patients who would prefer to contact UCMC directly may call its toll-free Compliance Resource Line at 877-440-5480.

To view ICS's press release on this matter, click here: http://prn.to/1gahyPi

SOURCE University of Chicago Medical Center