HHS OCR report · 2015
Howard University data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Howard University
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- District of Columbia
- Individuals affected
- 1,445
- Submission date
- Jul 10, 2015
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On May 6, 2015, business associates (BAs) sent out 1,445 misdirected collection letters on behalf of the covered entity (CE), Howard University Faculty Practice Plan. The types of protected health information (PHI) involved in the breach included names, account numbers, and dates of service. The BAs involved in the CE's collections efforts included California Healthcare Medical Billing, Inc. (“CHMB”) and JP Recovery Services, Inc. (“JPRS”). The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affec...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Howard University data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,445 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jul 10, 2015.
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 Howard University 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 Howard University.