On August 17, 2023, SouthCoast Medical Group, LLC (”SouthCoast Health,” “SouthCoast”) filed a notice of data breach with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights after discovering that an unauthorized party downloaded certain files from the company’s computer network. In a notice posted on its website, SouthCoast explains that the incident resulted in an unauthorized party being able to access consumers’ sensitive information, which includes their names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers and limited treatment information. Upon completing its investigation, SouthCoast began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals whose information was affected by the recent data security incident.

If you received a data breach notification from SouthCoast Health, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. A data breach lawyer can help you learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, as well as discuss your legal options following the SouthCoast Medical Group data breach. For more information, please see our recent piece on the topic here.

What Caused the SouthCoast Medical Group Breach?

The SouthCoast Medical Group data breach was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, SouthCoast’s filing with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights provides some important information on what led up to the breach. SouthCoast’s website notice provides additional details about the incident.

According to these sources, on June 18, 2023, SouthCoast Health detected unauthorized activity within its IT network. In response, SouthCoast secured its network, notified law enforcement, and then launched an investigation to determine what, if any, patient information was compromised as a result.

SouthCoast Health’s investigation determined that an unauthorized party accessed its network and downloaded certain files between June 15, 2023 and June 18, 2023. SouthCoast later determined that some of the downloaded files contained confidential patient information.

After learning that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, SouthCoast Medical Group reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which consumers were impacted. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, phone number and limited treatment information.

However, SouthCoast Medical Group is still in the process of identifying which patients were impacted by this incident. Once the SouthCoast Health investigation concludes, the company will begin sending out data breach letters to anyone who was affected. These letters should provide victims with a list of what information belonging to them was compromised.

More Information About SouthCoast Medical Group, LLC

SouthCoast Medical Group, LLC is a healthcare system based out of Pooler, Georgia. SouthCoast provides primary care, including family medicine, pediatrics, and internal medicine, as well as specialty care for cardiology, nephrology, podiatry, physical therapy, endocrinology and more. SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 18 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hinesville, and Statesboro. SouthCoast Medical Group employs more than 555 people and generates approximately $37 million in annual revenue.