HHS OCR report · 2017
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Massachusetts
- Individuals affected
- 1,843
- Submission date
- Dec 26, 2017
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On February 20, 2017, one of BCBSMA’s employer accounts requested data on its current and past employees. BCBSMA erroneously emailed data about individuals who were not current or past employees of the account holder in an encrypted email. The emailed data contained protected health information (PHI) of 1,843 individuals, including names, addresses, birthdates, and social security numbers. On December 12, 2017, the employer used the incorrect data and sent letters to the listed individuals. A...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | MA | Health Plan | 1,262 | Feb 15, 2019 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,843 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Dec 26, 2017.
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 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts 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 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.