HHS OCR report ยท 2017
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- North Carolina
- Individuals affected
- 12,731
- Submission date
- Feb 23, 2017
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, reported that an employee sent an unencrypted email that contained the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 12,731 individuals. The ePHI involved included names and claims and treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, and the media. In its mitigation efforts, the CE sanctioned the responsible individual and implemented additional administrative and security safeguards ...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services | NC | Health Plan | 3,437 | Sep 29, 2025 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services | NC | Health Plan | 524 | Nov 13, 2015 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services | NC | Health Plan | 1,615 | Oct 19, 2015 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services | NC | Healthcare Provider | 48,752 | Jan 7, 2014 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services | NC | Health Plan | 48,752 | Jan 6, 2014 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 12,731 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Feb 23, 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 North Carolina Department of Health and 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 North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.