Senior Choice, Inc. d/b/a The Atrium(216 Main St, Johnstown, PA) Beacon Ridge(1515 Wayne Ave, Indiana, PA) & The Patriot(495 W Patriot St, Somerset PA

Senior Choice, Inc., a management entity for three residential facilities—The Atrium in Johnstown, PA, Beacon Ridge in Indiana, PA, and The Patriot in Somerset, PA—experienced a data breach in April 2023. The incident was confirmed on June 23, 2023, and involved unauthorized access to some of the company’s internal systems used for business operations between April 2023 and April 24, 2023. Importantly, there was no evidence that systems directly used for resident care were impacted, nor was there any impact on the care and services provided to residents and staff at the facilities[1].

The breach potentially affected a wide range of personal information, including names, addresses, birth dates, admission and discharge dates, medical record numbers, medical conditions, diagnoses, treatment information, lab results, medications, payment history information, Social Security numbers, financial account information, credit card numbers, health insurance information, and driver’s license or state identification numbers, among others[1].

In response to the incident, Senior Choice, Inc. took immediate steps to contain the situation and safeguard the security of its computer systems. The company engaged leading industry professionals in data privacy and security to lead the investigation, response, and reporting to relevant government agencies, including law enforcement. Measures were also taken to add further technical safeguards to existing protections and to bring the impacted systems back online securely[1].

Affected individuals were advised to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review account statements and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity, and to monitor their credit reports for any unusual activity. Senior Choice, Inc. provided contact information for individuals to obtain further assistance and encouraged those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission[1].

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with securing sensitive personal and health information in the digital age, particularly for organizations managing critical services such as residential care facilities.

Citations:

1. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/senior-choice-inc-provides-notice-of-security-incident-301861306.html
2. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/senior-choice-inc-provides-notice-210000997.html
3. https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes/area/pa/the-patriot-a-choice-community-395840
4. https://www.insurance.pa.gov/Companies/FilingRequire/Documents/Continuing%20Care%20Documents/CCRC%20Annual%20Statements/SENIOR%20CHOICE%20INC%20DECEMBER%202015.pdf
5. https://www.ifaxapp.com/hipaa/cyberattack-pennsylvania-residential-care-facilities/
6. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/511305096/
7. https://breachdata.topwords.me/states/PA?limit=20&offset=20&sort=state
8. https://breachdata.topwords.me/states/PA?limit=20&offset=0&sort=number_affected
9. https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/filings/DIM2CHOQ/Senior_Choice_Inc__pawbke-24-70040__0012.2.pdf
10. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/12/24/nursing-homes-private-equity-fraud-00132001
11. https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes/area/pa/beacon-ridge-a-choice-community-395702
12. https://consumer.sc.gov/identity-theft-unit/security-breach-notices
13. https://breachdata.topwords.me/states/PA?limit=20&offset=20&sort=breach_type
14. https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/databreach/list
15. https://nursinghomerating.org/PA/beacon+ridge%2C+a+choice+comm/395702/
16. https://apps.web.maine.gov/online/aeviewer/ME/40/list.shtml
17. https://www.seniorly.com/skilled-nursing-facility/pennsylvania/indiana/beacon-ridge-a-choice-community
18. https://dojmt.gov/consumer/databreach/
19. https://www.seniorly.com/skilled-nursing-facility/pennsylvania/indiana/communities-at-indian-haven