HMO releases patient data online accidentally

A CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield dental HMO accidentally exposed personal information, including Social Security numbers, of about 75,000 members on a public Web site last month and didn't notify them until about three weeks later. The Dental Network, which is owned by CareFirst, informed the members--mostly Maryland and District of Columbia residents--that their names, addresses, dates of birth and Social Security numbers had been posted on its Web site for two weeks in February because of a technical error. The company says that to its knowledge, no one has misused the information.