HHS OCR report · 2014
Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth New Jersey data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth New Jersey
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Individuals affected
- 12,450
- Submission date
- Dec 26, 2014
- Type of breach
- Improper Disposal
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Members of the covered entity’s (CE) maintenance team improperly disposed of four boxes of paper records containing the protected health information (PHI) of approximately 12,450 individuals in error during the course of an office move within the building. The trash was collected by the CE’s trash removal vendor the next day and transported to a recycling plant. The PHI involved in the breach included names, addresses, identification numbers (including social security numbers), home phone nu...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth New Jersey data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 12,450 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Dec 26, 2014.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Improper Disposal, 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 Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth New Jersey 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 Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth New Jersey.