Almeida Law Group is investigating a data breach at The Des Moines Register. If you were affected, contact Almeida Law Group.
About The Des Moines Register
The notice published on The Des Moines Register’s website concerns Doctor’s Choice Home Care & Hospice, a for-profit home health and hospice provider founded in 2020 and headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company offers nursing, therapy, hospital-to-home transitions, recovery services, and chronic illness management across eight locations in northern and eastern Texas. It is accredited by CHAP and JCAHO and employs approximately 45 people. Because the company provides clinical care to patients, it handles sensitive health and personal information as part of routine operations.
What Happened?
Doctor’s Choice Home Care & Hospice was listed in a notice published on the organization’s website on September 19th, 2026. Between June 5th, 2026 and July 24th, 2026, an unauthorized party gained access to a single clinical user account within the WellSky electronic medical record (EMR) system using compromised credentials. The incident was discovered on July 21st, 2026. Doctor’s Choice confirmed that the breach was limited to the WellSky platform and that no internal Doctor’s Choice systems were affected. The company’s Chief Technology Officer verified that the compromised account was the only point of unauthorized access. The City of Houston Police Department has an active case assigned for investigation. Affected patients are being offered free credit monitoring.
The data exposed includes demographic information such as name, address, and date of birth; Social Security numbers; scheduling information; and clinical and treatment information. Doctor’s Choice stated it is unaware of any confirmed misuse of patient information. The public notice was issued approximately 60 days after discovery, consistent with HIPAA’s notification requirements. No ransomware group claims or threat actor attributions have been identified in connection with this incident.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Company or Organization: Doctor’s Choice Home Care & Hospice
- Industry: Home Health Care / Hospice Care (Healthcare)
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Incident type: Unauthorized access via compromised credentials on a third-party EMR platform (WellSky)
- Date of breach: June 5th, 2026
- Date breach discovered: July 21st, 2026
- Date of consumer notification: September 19th, 2026
- Identity theft protection offered: Free credit monitoring
- Source: Doctor’s Choice breach notice (Des Moines Register); Doctor’s Choice breach notice (EIN Presswire)
What Should You Do?
If you received notice from Doctor’s Choice Home Care & Hospice, enroll in the free credit monitoring the company is offering as soon as possible. You should also place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to help prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name. Monitor your credit reports regularly through AnnualCreditReport.com and review your Explanation of Benefits statements and medical bills carefully for any services you do not recognize. If you spot anything suspicious, report it to your health plan or provider immediately. Because Social Security numbers were involved, stay alert for phishing calls, emails, or letters requesting personal information. If you believe your identity has been misused, report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338.
Your Legal Rights
If your personal or health information was involved in this breach, you may have legal rights depending on the facts of the incident and the law in your state. Almeida Law Group represents consumers in data breach and privacy litigation and can help you evaluate whether you may have a claim. Contact us at (708) 529-5418 or through our contact page for a free case evaluation.
