HHS OCR report ยท 2019
Healthfirst data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Healthfirst
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- New York
- Individuals affected
- 1,811
- Submission date
- May 24, 2019
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Healthfirst, the covered entity (CE), reported that employees sent letters containing the protected health information (PHI) of 1,811 individuals to the wrong addresses. The PHI involved included names, birthdates, diagnoses, and treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, and the media. In its mitigation efforts, the CE implemented new administrative safeguards and retrained its staff. OCR obtained assurances that the CE implemented the corrective actions noted.
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Healthfirst
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthfirst | NY | Health Plan | 6,836 | Mar 13, 2024 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Healthfirst | NY | Health Plan | 5,048 | May 9, 2022 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Healthfirst data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,811 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on May 24, 2019.
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 Healthfirst 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 Healthfirst.