HHS OCR report · 2020
Iowa Department of Human Services data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Iowa Department of Human Services
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Iowa
- Individuals affected
- 4,501
- Submission date
- Jan 27, 2020
- Type of breach
- Improper Disposal
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Iowa Department of Human Services, reported that an employee of its custodial vendor, improperly disposed of documents containing the protected health information (PHI) of approximately 4,501 individuals. The PHI involved included names, addresses, dates of birth, drivers’ license information, Social Security numbers, diagnoses/conditions, medications prescribed, health insurance information, and financial data. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media,...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Iowa Department of Human Services
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Department of Human Services | IA | Health Plan | 811 | Oct 20, 2017 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Iowa Department of Human Services | IA | Healthcare Provider | 7,335 | Jun 26, 2013 | Loss, Unknown | Archive (closed) |
| Iowa Department of Human Services | IA | Health Plan | 3,000 | May 11, 2012 | Improper Disposal | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Iowa Department of Human Services data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 4,501 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jan 27, 2020.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Improper Disposal, 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 Iowa Department of Human Services 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 Iowa Department of Human Services.