New York state reached a $1.15 million settlement with Aetna over claims the insurer inadvertently revealed the HIV status of about 2,460 members.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Aetna must pay the fine, improve operating procedures in terms of protecting personal health information, and hire an independent consultant to oversee the settlement's provisions.
Last year, Aetna inadvertently exposed members' HIV statuses through a window on envelopes containing information about filling prescriptions for HIV medications and pre-exposure prophylaxis, a pill that helps prevent a person from contracting HIV. The letters were mailed July 28 to about 12,000 customers in multiple states, including the 2,400-plus members in New York state.
Last week, Aetna reached a $17 million settlement to resolve a federal class-action lawsuit filed in August after the privacy breach.
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