A Long Island medical practice says it's investigating a data breach by a former employee who accessed tens of thousands of patients' billing records and health information without authorization.
NRAD Medical Associates, P.C., a Garden City-based radiology practice, says a former radiologist improperly accessed about 97,000 patient files that in some cases included personal information like diagnosis codes, procedure codes and Social Security numbers.
The employee had been able to bypass security safeguards on the billing database and network, the office said.
The employee is no longer employed at the practice, and his misconduct was reported to authorities after it was discovered in April, according to a spokesman for the office.
The practice declined to comment on the breach details, timing and motive, citing the ongoing investigation.
It has established a toll-free number at 800-926-8180 to answer questions from patients concerned about the breach.
NRAD is made up of 56 board-certified diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists and medical specialists, according to a spokesman. It has treated more than 800,000 patients in the last 20 years.
