HHS OCR report · 2013
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York
- Entity type
- Business Associate
- State
- New York
- Individuals affected
- 725
- Submission date
- Jan 22, 2013
- Type of breach
- Theft
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- Yes
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity’s (CE) business associate (BA), Blue Cross Blue Shield, mailed a monthly premium notice with invoices that contained the protected health information (PHI) of 725 individuals which was never received by the CE. The PHI included names, member identification numbers, and social security numbers. Upon discovery of the breach, the BA contacted the U.S. Post Office regarding the undelivered mailing. The CE provided breach notification to HHS and the BA notified affected indiv...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 725 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jan 22, 2013.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Theft, 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 BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York 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 BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.