HHS OCR report · 2016
Aetna Inc. data breach
Aetna Inc., a business associate in Connecticut, reported a breach affecting 18,854 individuals to HHS OCR on Nov 28, 2016.
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Aetna Inc.
- Entity type
- Business Associate
- State
- Connecticut
- Individuals affected
- 18,854
- Submission date
- Nov 28, 2016
- Type of breach
- Loss
- Location of breached information
- Other
- Business associate present
- Yes
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Aetna, reported that a compact disk (CD) containing the protected health information (PHI) of 18,854 individuals and the password to access the CD were lost when mailed to another office. The types of missing PHI included members’ names, dates of birth, and addresses. OCR reviewed the CE’s policies and procedures on uses and disclosure of PHI, safeguarding PHI, minimum necessary, and its business associate agreements. Following the breach, the CE invested in electro...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Aetna Inc.
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna Inc. | CT | Health Plan | 1,600 | Nov 8, 2017 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Aetna Inc. | CT | Health Plan | 11,887 | Aug 29, 2017 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Aetna Inc. | CT | Health Plan | 5,002 | Jun 20, 2017 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Aetna Inc. data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 18,854 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Nov 28, 2016.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Loss, with the breached information located in: Other.
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 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 Aetna Inc..