State HHS releases private data

UPDATE- The Union Leader has updated this morning's story by reporting that 9,300 Medicare Part D recipients have had their private information sent out:

The state Department of Health and Human Services mistakenly released personal information about 9,300 Medicare Part D recipients to its service providers two weeks ago and is now notifying those affected.

In letters to clients and providers obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, the department said it is taking steps to make sure no information is used illegally. But it urged the people affected to initiate credit fraud alerts or freezes on their accounts.

The Union Leader is reporting that New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services has mistakenly released private data of Medicare recipients to private service providers:

New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services mistakenly released personal information about Medicare Part D recipients to its service providers two weeks ago and is now notifying those affected.

In letters to clients and providers obtained by The Associated Press, the department says it is taking steps to make sure no information was used illegally. But the department is urging clients to initiate credit fraud alerts or freezes on their accounts.

The information was mistakenly attached to an e-mail to providers on Dec. 1.