Updated 10:42am 7/29/08

The state's largest insurer says as many as 200,000 letters were mailed to the wrong people, opening up the possibility of identity theft.

The letters, which were explanations of benefits, contain the patient's name, their identification number, the medical provider, and the amount they still had to pay.

A company spokeswoman said ``a small percentage'' of the letters also contained Social Security numbers.

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine said the matter is ``very, very serious.''

He has ordered the company to give written notice to policyholders whose names were on the Explanation of Benefits letters and compile a list of names of those who mistakenly received the forms.

Oxendine also says that notices will be sent to the people that were sent the information informing them that the letter was sent in error. "We're saying 'you should not have received this and please return this to Blue Cross immediately.' Another thing is that by sending them that letter and letting them know that we know that they got someone's elses confidential information, most people are honest but hopefully if someone is leaning toward dishonesty....they might be less likely to use that in a dishonest fashion."

Commission Oxendine talks with WSB about the mailings

WSB's Jon Lewis reports

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