HHS OCR report · 2015
Children's National Medical Center data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Children's National Medical Center
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- District of Columbia
- Individuals affected
- 18,000
- Submission date
- Feb 24, 2015
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Employees of the covered entity (CE), Children’s National Medical Center (CNMS), responded to phishing emails they believed were legitimate emails. Over 20,000 individuals were affected by the breach which involved demographic, clinical and health insurance information, including a limited number of social security numbers. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media, and offered 12 months of free identity monitoring for those whose social security number...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Children's National Medical Center
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children's National Medical Center | DC | Healthcare Provider | 4,107 | Apr 25, 2016 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Children's National Medical Center data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 18,000 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Feb 24, 2015.
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 Children's National Medical 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 Children's National Medical Center.