HHS OCR report · 2019
Aetna data breach
Aetna, a health plan in Connecticut, reported a breach affecting 2,030 individuals to HHS OCR on Jan 30, 2019.
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Aetna
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Connecticut
- Individuals affected
- 2,030
- Submission date
- Jan 30, 2019
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- Yes
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On October 11, 2018, a business associate (BA), BenefitMall, discovered a phishing attack which affected the protected health information (PHI) of 2,030 of the covered entity’s (CE) individual members, including demographic, financial, and health plan information. The BA notified the CE of the breach on December 11, 2018, and the CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. OCR reviewed the CE’s policies, procedures, and the executed BA agreement as it relate...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Aetna
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | CT | Business Associate | 10,888 | Feb 27, 2026 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Aetna | CT | Business Associate | 775 | Feb 27, 2026 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Aetna | CT | Health Plan | 6,372 | Jul 27, 2010 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Aetna data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 2,030 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jan 30, 2019.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Hacking/IT Incident, 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 Aetna 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 Aetna.