Possible TRICARE patient data at risk Published Nov. 9, 2011 TRICARE FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- A loss of computer tapes by Science Applications International Corporation may have placed TRICARE patient data at risk. SAIC is a contractor for the TRICARE Management Activity. What: Back-up computer tapes containing personally identifiable and protected health information (PII/PHI) were stolen. Who: 4.9 million military clinic and hospital patients or those patients who had laboratory exams sent to the military hospitals in Texas. Where: In the San Antonio area of Texas When: TMA learned on September 14th, 2011 that the theft occurred on September 12th, 2011. The data contained on the tapes may include names, Social Security numbers, addresses and phone numbers, and some personal health data such as clinical notes, laboratory tests and prescriptions. There is no financial data, such as credit card or bank account information, on the backup tapes. There is no evidence that any of the data has actually been accessed by a third party. Retrieving data from the tapes requires knowledge of and access to specific hardware and software and knowledge of the system and data structure. So, the chance any data was actually compromised is low, but proactive measures are being taken to ensure that potentially affected beneficiaries are kept informed and protected. · Letters notifying victims about the breach and offering free credit monitoring are being mailed this month (November 2011). · TMA has directed SAIC to provide one year of credit monitoring and restoration services to patients who express concern about their credit. · SAIC will also conduct analysis of all available data to help TMA determine if identity theft occurs due to the data breach. What You Need to Do · You may advise beneficiaries that TriWest was not involved in this data breach, but if they received a letter they should follow the instructions in the letter. · Concerned patients may also contact the SAIC Incident Response Call Center: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time at (855) 366-0140 (toll free) for United States or (952) 556-8312 (collect) internationally. TMA has more information at TRICARE.mil/Breach.