HHS OCR report ยท 2017
Arkansas Department of Human Services data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Arkansas Department of Human Services
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Arkansas
- Individuals affected
- 26,000
- Submission date
- Sep 15, 2017
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On August 7, 2017, the covered entity (CE), Arkansas Department of Human Services discovered that a former workforce member sent encrypted emails containing the protected health information (PHI) of 29,023 individuals to her personal email account. The emails contained spreadsheets that included demographic, treatment, and claims information. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media and posted substitute notice on its website. In response to the incident...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Arkansas Department of Human Services
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Department of Human Services | AR | Health Plan | 925 | Nov 15, 2022 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Arkansas Department of Human Services data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 26,000 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Sep 15, 2017.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Email.
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 Arkansas Department of Human Services 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 Arkansas Department of Human Services.