TransUnion Survey: Nearly Seven in 10 Patients Would Avoid Healthcare Providers That Undergo a Data Breach

Chicago, March 24, 2015A new survey from TransUnion Healthcare found that more than half of recent hospital patients are willing to switch healthcare providers if their current provider undergoes a data breach. Nearly seven in 10 respondents (65%) would avoid healthcare providers that experience a data breach.

Older and younger consumer groups responded differently to data breaches. While 73% of recent patients ages 18 to 34 said they were likely to switch healthcare providers, older consumers were less willing. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of patients older than 55 were not likely to consider switching healthcare providers following a data breach.

“Older consumers may have long-standing loyalties to their current doctors, making them less likely to seek a new healthcare provider following a data breach,” said Gerry McCarthy, president of TransUnion Healthcare. “However, younger patients are far more likely to at least consider moving to a new provider if there is a data breach. With more than 80 million millennials recently entering the healthcare market, providers that are not armed with the proper tools to protect and recover from data breaches run the risk of losing potentially long-term customers.”

Other survey insights on consumers’ expectations following a data breach include:

·         Nearly half of consumers (46%) expect a response or notification within one day of the breach.

·         31% of consumers expect to receive a response or notification within one to three days.

·         Seven in 10 (72%) consumers expect providers to offer at least one year of free credit monitoring after a breach.

·         Nearly six in 10 (59%) consumers expect a dedicated phone hotline for questions.

·         More than half of consumers (55%) expect a dedicated website with additional details.

“The hours and days immediately following a data breach are crucial for consumers’ perceptions of a healthcare provider,” said McCarthy. “With the right tools, hospitals and providers can quickly notify consumers of a breach, and change consumer sentiments toward their brand.”

For more information about data breach services, visit TransUnion Healthcare.
About the Survey
The online survey included responses from 1,228 U.S. consumers who have received medical care at a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital in the past two years. The survey was conducted in February 2014.

About TransUnion Healthcare
TransUnion Healthcare, a wholly owned subsidiary of credit and information management company TransUnion, empowers providers with Intelligence in an Instant® by providing data and analytics at the point of need.  TransUnion offers a series of data solutions designed to provide greater ease of use, accuracy and transparency in the revenue cycle process thereby assisting providers in lowering their uncompensated care.  www.transunionhealthcare.com

About TransUnion
Information is a powerful thing. At TransUnion, we realize that. We are dedicated to finding innovative ways information can be used to help individuals make better and smarter decisions. We help uncover unique stories, trends and insights behind each data point, using historical information as well as alternative data sources. This allows a variety of markets and businesses to better manage risk and consumers to better manage their credit, personal information and identity. Today, TransUnion reaches consumers and businesses in more than 30 countries around the world on five continents. Through the power of information, TransUnion is working to build stronger economies and families and safer communities worldwide.

   

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