HHS OCR report · 2016
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Arkansas
- Individuals affected
- 771
- Submission date
- Nov 4, 2016
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the covered entity (CE), reported that the protected health information (PHI) of 771 individuals was disclosed when an internal file merging process error resulted in letters and refund checks being sent to the wrong recipients. The types of PHI included patient’s names, store locations, optical order numbers, dates of orders, and refund amounts. The CE provided breach notification to HHS and affected individuals and provided substitute notice via print media. Addition...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | AR | Healthcare Provider | 27,393 | Jun 8, 2016 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 771 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Nov 4, 2016.
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 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 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 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc..