Latest news with #HFS
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Over 500 Illinoisans impacted by phishing scam targeting HFS employees' personal information
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A 'bad actor' who conducted a phishing scam targeting Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) employees earlier this year impacted 933 people, 564 of whom were Illinois residents. On Friday, the Federal Trade Commission announced that there was an incident involving personally identifiable information within the State of Illinois systems. On or around Feb. 11, the HFS became aware that a 'bad actor' was conducting a phishing campaign targeting HFS employees and attempting to gain access to their usernames and passwords. 'We are taking this case incredibly seriously,' Rantoul man arraigned in connection to 8-year-old's stabbing The scammer sent emails to HFS employees from another government email account that they had previously hacked, so that the emails looked legitimate to HFS employees. As a result, one of the worker's emails and documents were compromised. When discovering the scam, HFS worked with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) to block the link contained in the email and reset any employee's password that may have been compromised. HFS also communicated with all its employees about the threat and reminded the workers about appropriate actions to take when presented with a request for state credentials. Former GCMS teacher, coach arrested for 6 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse The information that was compromised differed for each individual impacted, but may have included things such as: Customer names Social security numbers Driver's license or state identification card numbers Financial information related to child support Child support or Medicaid identification and case numbers Date of birth HFS completed notifying the 933 affected clients (564 of which were Illinois residents) on May 23. Those affected by the campaign are urged to email with any questions they may have. They are also able to contact consumer reporting agencies to place a free fraud alert or security freeze on their accounts, or the Federal Trade Commission to learn more about fraud alerts, credit freezes or other identity theft resources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Illinois Department of Healthcare data breach reveals Social Security and child support details
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is alerting the public to a data breach that may have exposed customers' private information to hackers. According to HFS, the agency became aware of a phishing campaign targeting its employees around February 11th, 2025. The agency said employees' emails and documents were compromised, and may have included customer names, social security numbers, driver's license or state ID number, financial information related to child support, child support or Medicaid identification and case numbers, and birth dates. HFS said 933 individuals were impacted in the breach, 564 of which were Illinois residents. The Department said all affected individuals were notified by May 23rd. 'Potentially affected individuals can also contact consumer reporting agencies to place a free fraud alert or security freeze on their accounts, or the Federal Trade Commission to learn more about fraud alerts, credit freezes, or other identity theft resources,' HFS said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
When eye twitching doesn't stop: Understanding facial muscle spasm and treatments available
A subtle eye twitch could be the first sign of hemifacial spasm which can spread to the rest of your face. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES BRANDED CONTENT When eye twitching doesn't stop: Understanding facial muscle spasm and treatments available A persistent eye twitch may be an early sign of hemifacial spasm, a progressive neurological condition. Specialist neurosurgeon Dr Nicolas Kon explains how timely treatment can halt its progression Most of us have experienced an occasional eye twitch – often stress-related and fleeting. But when that persistent eye twitching becomes frequent or spreads across the face, it could signal hemifacial spasm (HFS), or facial muscle spasm, a neurological condition that is marked by involuntary muscle contractions on one side of the face. Dr Nicolas Kon, a hemifacial spasm specialist at Neuro Asia Care, explains: 'The spasms typically begin around the eye and may extend to the cheek, mouth and jaw. In most cases, it is caused by a blood vessel pressing against the root of the facial nerve, disrupting its function. 'As the protective layer of the nerve wears down from this constant contact, abnormal signals are sent to facial muscles which trigger the involuntary twitching and spasms patients experience.' There are two types of spasms: clonic spasms are fast, repetitive twitches, while tonic spasms cause prolonged tightness in the facial muscles. 'Although brief, these episodes can occur frequently and interfere with daily life,' adds Dr Kon. Hemifacial spasm affects about 15 in 100,000 people and is seen more often in Asian populations. INFOGRAPHIC: NEURO ASIA CARE Beyond the physical discomfort, HFS can impact daily life significantly. Activities like reading, driving, or watching TV may become difficult when the eye closes involuntarily. Over time, the unpredictability and visibility of the spams can erode one's confidence, interfere with work and social interactions, contributing to a reduced quality of life, explains Dr Kon. Diagnosing hemifacial spasm A persistent, one-sided eye twitch is often the first sign of HFS. If the eye twitch begins to spread or intensify, evaluation by an HFS specialist is recommended. Diagnosis typically includes a physical exam followed by a specialised magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scan to assess whether a blood vessel is compressing the facial nerve and to rule out other conditions such as tumours. Studies show that hemifacial spasm affects about 15 out of every 100,000 people, and appears to be more common among Asian populations. According to Dr Kon, there is no official data for Singapore, but the numbers are likely to be similar. Many cases may go undiagnosed especially when the milder symptoms are dismissed as fatigue or stress. 'Women, especially those in their 40s to 60s, are more commonly affected, with a higher frequency of symptoms occurring on the left side of the face. These demographic patterns underscore the need for awareness and tailored treatment approaches in our region,' adds Dr Kon. Treating hemifacial spasms with microvascular decompression There are three primary treatments for HFS: Oral medication , which may provide temporary relief in early stages but often loses effectiveness over time. , which may provide temporary relief in early stages but often loses effectiveness over time. Botulinum toxin injections , which provide temporary relief by relaxing the affected muscles, but need to be repeated every few months. , which provide temporary relief by relaxing the affected muscles, but need to be repeated every few months. Microvascular decompression (MVD), a one-time procedure that addresses the root cause and offers long-term relief. 'MVD offers a long-term solution for HFS as the procedure directly addresses the root cause – the pressure on the facial nerve,' says Dr Kon. Performed under general anaesthesia, MVD involves making a small incision behind the ear to access the affected area. A cushion-like pad is then accurately placed between the facial nerve and the compressing blood vessel. 'This accurate placement and repositioning help alleviate the pressure that triggers the facial spasms,' Dr Kon explains. Patients can choose from three treatment options, depending on their condition and what best fits their lifestyle. INFOGRAPHIC: NEURO ASIA CARE According to Dr Kon, this is a minimally invasive procedure and most patients stay in hospital for only a few days. Recovery typically involves avoiding strenuous activities like heavy lifting for a month, but patients tend to notice an immediate improvement. 'In my practice, 90 per cent of patients achieve complete relief after MVD surgery. Many patients become spasm-free immediately after surgery. In more severe cases, spasms may take up to several weeks to subside,' says Dr Kon. Although risks like temporary facial weakness or hearing loss exist, these are uncommon, and quality of life improves significantly, adds Dr Kon. Dr Kon notes that most of his patients experience complete relief after undergoing MVD surgery. INFOGRAPHIC: NEURO ASIA CARE MVD is a one-time procedure for most, and is recommended for patients with clear signs of nerve compression, good overall health and symptoms that persist despite other treatments. MVD may not be suitable for everyone – especially those with mild symptoms or who are medically unfit. 'A personalised approach is essential,' says Dr Kon. 'Whether your goal is symptom relief, reducing eye strain and discomfort, or feeling more confident in social settings, the treatment plan should align with your lifestyle and medical needs.' To learn more about hemifacial spasm, MVD procedure or consult with Dr Nicolas Kon, visit the Neuro Asia Care website. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Business Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Far East Orchard Q1 net profit more than doubles to S$17.3 million
[SINGAPORE] Hospitality and student housing player Far East Orchard 's net profit more than doubled to S$17.3 million for the first quarter ended Mar 31, 2025, from S$6.9 million the previous corresponding period, the company announced on Thursday (May 8). The significant rise in its Q1 net profit was driven by a one-off gain of S$9.2 million from the acquisition of an additional 6.7 per cent interest in Woodlands Square in January 2025, it added. This gain arose from the higher fair value of net assets acquired compared to the purchase consideration. However, revenue for the period fell 8.6 per cent to S$46.5 million, while operating profit declined by 4.4 per cent to S$17.3 million. These declines were attributed to reduced contributions from the hospitality business, which was affected by ongoing refurbishment works at Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough (RHPS). Nevertheless, Far East Orchard said its overall performance was supported by stronger contributions from its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and property development segments The company's acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in PBSA operator Homes for Students (HFS) in April 2024 began to positively contribute to the share of results in the first quarter of FY2025. HFS has expanded its portfolio to over 55,000 owned and managed beds across the UK. Additionally, the company recognised a higher share of results from Woodlands Square in the property development segment, driven by increased sales in the first quarter of FY2025 and a rise in its shareholding from 33 per cent to 40 per cent. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Far East Orchard's performance reflects the results of scaling its lodging platform, said chief executive Alan Tang. He highlighted that the company's PBSA development fund is progressing well, with the recent acquisition of a second development site in Manchester, a 239-bed project, in April. 'These initiatives strengthen our asset-light strategy, boost fee-based income, and highlight the resilience of our diversified approach as we focus on sustainable, long-term growth', added Tang. As at Mar 31, the company's 13 operational PBSA assets, comprising over 3,700 beds, had 67 per cent reservations for the academic year 2025/26, aligning with current market trends.
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
CENTENE SUBSIDIARY MERIDIAN HEALTH PLAN OF ILLINOIS AWARDED CONTRACT TO SERVE DUALLY ELIGIBLE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE
Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives, announced today that its subsidiary, Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian), has been selected by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to continue providing Medicare and Medicaid services for dually eligible Illinoisans through a Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). The D-SNP program will provide services and support statewide for dually eligible members who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as dually eligible Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) members, under a single managed care organization. The new D-SNP contract is expected to begin on Jan. 1, 2026, and operate through Dec. 31, 2029, with the state having the option to renew for intervals of six months to five and a half years for a total contract term of up to 10 years. 'We look forward to working with HFS to address the unique needs of Illinoisans who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid,' said Centene Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sarah M. London. 'This award is a testament to our experience and ongoing commitment to fully integrate care for people with complex healthcare needs and to build stronger connections between medical, behavioral, psychosocial and environmental care for this community.' Meridian has been serving members in Illinois since 2008 and is among four health plans selected by HFS to deliver access to high-quality managed care services to 77,000 Medicare-Medicaid-eligible Illinoisans through the state's new D-SNP product across the state. Beginning in 2027, 60,000 dually eligible MLTSS individuals will be included in the D-SNP plan. As of February 2025, Meridian serves more than 13,000 Medicaid-Medicare members and more than 11,000 dually eligible MLTSS members through the Illinois HealthChoice Medicaid program. Under the D-SNP contract, Meridian will manage coverage for services to address members' needs on a holistic level to eradicate barriers to healthcare, improve behavioral health and reduce disparities in health outcomes. 'We are proud to continue to connect our dually eligible members to a comprehensive range of services to support their physical, mental and emotional well-being,' said Meridian CEO and Plan President Cristal Gary. 'Our focus on local, culturally sensitive care helps members get the services and support they need, where they are. Meridian is committed to continuously innovating programs and processes to ensure our members achieve the best health outcomes possible.' Additional Centene Corporation companies Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc. and Buckeye Health Plan in Ohio were recently selected to provide integrated services for dually eligible individuals in their respective states. About Centene Corporation Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to more than 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace. Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, About Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and its family of health plans provide government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs. This includes Meridian's Medicaid and Medicare-Medicaid plans, and YouthCare HealthChoice Illinois. YouthCare is a specialized program designed to address the healthcare needs of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) youth in out-of-home placement and former foster youth. Meridian connects members to care and offers comprehensive services to support lifelong health and wellness. Meridian is a Centene Corporation company. Learn more at Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of current or historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, forward-looking statements often use words such as 'believe,' 'anticipate,' 'plan,' 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'intend,' 'seek,' 'target,' 'goal,' 'may,' 'will,' 'would,' 'could,' 'should,' 'can,' 'continue' and other similar words or expressions (and the negative thereof). Centene Corporation and its subsidiaries (Centene, the Company, our or we) intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we are including this statement for purposes of complying with these safe-harbor provisions. In particular, these statements include, without limitation, statements about our expected contract start dates and terms, our future operating or financial performance, changes in laws and regulations (including but not limited to, renewal and modification of the enhanced advance premium tax credits associated with the Marketplace product), market opportunity, competition, expected activities in connection with completed and future acquisitions and dispositions, our investments and the adequacy of our available cash resources. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on numerous assumptions " and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environments, future developments and other factors we believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are subject to change because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future, including economic, regulatory, competitive and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. Except as may be otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date hereof. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from projections, estimates, or other forward-looking statements due to a variety of important factors, variables and events including, but not limited to: our ability to design and price products that are competitive and/or actuarially sound including but not limited to any impacts resulting from Medicaid redeterminations; our ability to maintain or achieve improvement in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Star ratings and maintain or achieve improvement in other quality scores in each case that could impact revenue and future growth; our ability to accurately predict and effectively manage health benefits and other operating expenses and reserves, including fluctuations in medical utilization rates; competition, including for providers, broker distribution networks, contract reprocurements and organic growth; our ability to adequately anticipate demand and timely provide for operational resources to maintain service level requirements in compliance with the terms of our contracts and state and federal regulations; our ability to manage our information systems effectively; disruption, unexpected costs, or similar risks from business transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, and changes in our relationships with third-party vendors; disruption, unexpected costs, or similar risks from business transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, and changes in our relationships with third-party vendors; impairments to real estate, investments, goodwill, and intangible assets; changes in senior management, loss of one or more key personnel or an inability to attract, hire, integrate and retain skilled personnel; membership and revenue declines or unexpected trends; rate cuts, insufficient rate changes or other payment reductions or delays by governmental payors and other risks and uncertainties affecting our government businesses; changes in healthcare practices, new technologies, and advances in medicine; our ability to effectively and ethically use artificial intelligence and machine learning in compliance with applicable laws; increased healthcare costs; inflation and interest rates; the effect of social, economic, and political conditions and geopolitical events, including as a result of changes in U.S. presidential administrations or Congress; changes in market conditions; changes in federal or state laws or regulations, including changes with respect to income tax reform or government healthcare programs as well as changes with respect to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (collectively referred to as the ACA) and any regulations enacted thereunder, including the timing and terms of renewal or modification of the enhanced advance premium tax credits or program integrity initiatives that could have the effect of reducing membership or profitability of our products; uncertainty concerning government shutdowns, debt ceilings or funding; tax matters; disasters, climate-related incidents, acts of war or aggression or major epidemics; changes in expected contract start dates and terms; changes in provider, broker, vendor, state, federal, and other contracts and delays in the timing of regulatory approval of contracts, including due to protests and our ability to timely comply with any such changes to our contractual requirements or manage any unexpected delays in regulatory approval of contracts; the expiration, suspension, or termination of our contracts with federal or state governments (including, but not limited to, Medicaid, Medicare or other customers); the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of legal or regulatory audits, investigations, proceedings or matters, including, but not limited to, our ability to resolve claims and/or allegations made by states with regard to past practices on acceptable terms, or at all, or whether additional claims, reviews or investigations will be brought by states, the federal government or shareholder litigants, or government investigations; challenges to our contract awards; cyber-attacks or other data security incidents or our failure to comply with applicable privacy, data or security laws and regulations; the exertion of management's time and our resources, and other expenses incurred and business changes required in connection with complying with the terms of our contracts and the undertakings in connection with any regulatory, governmental, or third party consents or approvals for acquisitions or dispositions; any changes in expected closing dates, estimated purchase price, or accretion for acquisitions or dispositions; losses in our investment portfolio; restrictions and limitations in connection with our indebtedness; a downgrade of our corporate family rating, issuer rating or credit rating of our indebtedness; the availability of debt and equity financing on terms that are favorable to us and risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports that Centene has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. We discuss certain of these matters more fully, as well as certain other factors that may affect our business operations, financial condition, and results of operations, in our filings with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Due to these important factors and risks, we cannot give assurances with respect to our future performance, including without limitation our ability to maintain adequate premium levels or our ability to control our future medical and selling, general and administrative costs.
