CMS is responding to a data breach involving the unauthorized access of the files of 75,000 people.
Here are the key details to know:
1. The Federally Facilitated Exchanges direct enrollment pathway of HealthCare.gov website was affected.
2. CMS began the investigation of the breach Oct. 13, declaring a breach had occurred Oct. 16. CMS disabled the direct enrollment pathway for all agents and brokers out of an "abundance of caution.".
3. CMS is working to restore the direct enrollment pathway for agents and brokers.
4. "Our number one priority is the safety and security of the Americans we serve. We will continue to work around the clock to help those potentially impacted and ensure the protection of consumer information," said CMS Administrator Seema Verma in a release. "I want to make clear to the public that HealthCare.gov and the Marketplace Call Center are still available, and open enrollment will not be negatively impacted."
