RAPID CITY, S.D. – Black Hills Regional Eye Institute LLP in Rapid City says a cyberattack exposed patient and billing information, according to a notice posted on its website Aug. 29, 2025 (https://www.blackhillseyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BHREI-Website-Notice-Revised-8.18.2536676732.1.pdf).
Why It Matters
The institute reports that an unauthorized party accessed its systems between Jan. 4 and Jan. 8, 2025. The disclosure outlines the types of information compromised, the steps taken to investigate, and resources now available to patients.
According to the notice, the institute detected suspicious activity on Jan. 8. An outside cybersecurity firm confirmed that data had been accessed and acquired beginning Jan. 4. A file review to identify the scope of the breach concluded July 30. Patient notification letters started Aug. 29.
The compromised data may include names linked with Social Security numbers, dates of birth, dates of service, diagnostic and treatment details, driver’s license numbers, insurance information, medical record numbers, provider names, surgical details, medications, and credit card information. The institute said it has no evidence that the information has been misused but is offering complimentary credit monitoring for affected individuals whose Social Security numbers were involved.
The notice says the institute responded by taking certain systems offline, working with third-party specialists, and strengthening its network defenses. It also provided federal resources on fraud alerts, credit freezes, and identity theft protections.
Patients and staff are encouraged to monitor financial and insurance accounts for suspicious activity. A dedicated phone line — 866-450-5733 — is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, for questions.
BHREI said it “takes the security of information very seriously” and has implemented additional safeguards to reduce the risk of recurrence. The institute is one of the largest specialty eye care providers in western South Dakota, serving patients across the Black Hills region.