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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Health Insurer Violated Privacy, Class Claims

MILWAUKEE (CN) - Aurora Health Care revealed patients' health care records in its bankruptcy filing, a class action claims in Milwaukee Federal Court. The class claims Aurora violated federal court orders by including in its bankruptcy filing Proofs of Claim that disclose policyholders medical treatments and records.

Two named plaintiffs say that Aurora disclosed the private information of policyholders who have filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection.

Aurora is a "sophisticated medical provider" that is or should be aware of its patients' privacy rights, the class claims, but nevertheless made the private treatments a part of the public records.

The class claims Aurora was sued previously on similar claims, and settled out of court. It claims that Milwaukee's Federal Court issued at least two orders - one in 2003 and one in 2007 - that prohibited "disclosures of personal identifiers including medical records." The orders specifically required redactions of "personal data identifiers" and included medical records as an example.

The plaintiffs say the release of the confidential information caused them emotional distress, and subjected them to identity theft. They seek $25,000 in damages per class member.

Their lead attorney is Michael Watton.

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