Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Errant e-mail creates security breach at MNsure
A MNsure employee accidentally sent an e-mail file to an Apple Valley insurance broker’s office on Thursday that contained Social Security numbers, names, business addresses and other identifying information on more than 2,400 insurance agents....

...The new marketplaces are a key vehicle for implementing the federal health law, often called Obamacare. Small-business owners as well as individuals younger than 65 are expected to begin using the health exchanges Oct. 1 to comparison-shop among various health insurance options.

Users of the exchange will need to provide sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, that will be sent to a federal hub to verify such things as citizenship and household income. This information will determine whether consumers using MNsure qualify for public health programs or tax credits that will lower the cost of premiums....