HHS OCR report · 2016
Anthem, Inc. data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Anthem, Inc.
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Indiana
- Individuals affected
- 3,525
- Submission date
- Oct 26, 2016
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity’s (CE) employee emailed protected health information (PHI) to himself, claiming it was for commission reconciliation purposes. The CE ensured that all the PHI was deleted from the employee’s home computer and smart phones. The employee resigned from the company, and attested that all PHI was deleted from his devices. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media and substitute notice was posted on the CE's websites on October 29, 2016, an...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Anthem, Inc.
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem, Inc. | IN | Business Associate | 6,118 | Nov 19, 2021 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Anthem, Inc. | IN | Business Associate | 5,505 | Oct 27, 2021 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
| Anthem, Inc. | IN | Health Plan | 18,580 | Jul 24, 2017 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Anthem, Inc. data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 3,525 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Oct 26, 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: 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 Anthem, 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 Anthem, Inc..