A new Medicare online tool meant to make it easier for seniors to find doctors who accept their insurance briefly raised serious privacy concerns. According to The Washington Post, the Trump administration’s directory was built using a public database that, in some cases, included health care providers’ Social Security numbers linked to their names and other personal details.
While this sensitive information was not visible during normal use of the site, it could be downloaded. A review by the newspaper found that at least dozens of Social Security numbers were exposed in this way. After being notified, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services removed the database and said it is working to correct the issue.
A spokesperson for the agency said the problem likely stemmed from providers or their representatives entering information into the wrong fields. The agency also stated it is strengthening its data entry and verification safeguards to prevent similar issues. Some providers contacted about the situation said they were both confused and concerned. One physician questioned how Medicare officials would have obtained their Social Security number in the first place.
The directory is part of a larger effort to update Medicare’s online systems, but it has already faced criticism over earlier mistakes and what some lawmakers described as a rushed rollout that could create confusion for seniors trying to understand their coverage.