HHS OCR report · 2013
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- North Carolina
- Individuals affected
- 687
- Submission date
- Nov 7, 2013
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On October 14, 2013, the covered entity (CE), Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, impermissibly disclosed the protected health information (PHI) of 687 individuals when an employee inadvertently mailed notices regarding policy changes to incorrect addresses. The PHI involved in the breach included names. The CE provided breach notification to HHS and affected individuals. Following the breach the CE sanctioned the responsible workforce member. As a result of OCR’s investigation, the...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | NC | Business Associate | 972 | Aug 27, 2024 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 687 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Nov 7, 2013.
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 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina 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 and Blue Shield of North Carolina.