HHS OCR report · 2018
Southwestern Eye Center data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Southwestern Eye Center
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Arizona
- Individuals affected
- 667
- Submission date
- Aug 1, 2018
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
During a mass mailing of patient refund checks in April 2018, the covered entity’s (CE’s) business associate (BA) used an electronic mail merge and mixed up the names and addresses on patient refund checks mailed to 667 individuals. The breach, reported to HHS on August 1, 2018, included demographic information. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals and the media. OCR obtained assurances that the CE took voluntary corrective action by re-issuing and re-sending the ...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Southwestern Eye Center data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 667 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Aug 1, 2018.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Paper/Films.
Is the investigation still open?
No. The report is in the OCR portal archive, which holds reports where OCR has closed its review.
Is a breach notice letter from Southwestern Eye Center legitimate?
This site cannot verify letters. Check the sender against the organisation's official website and the HHS OCR breach portal, and avoid calling numbers or clicking links only listed in an unexpected message. See our guide on what to do after a data breach notice.
Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, OCR export October 2026. Network USA is not affiliated with HHS or Southwestern Eye Center.