HHS OCR report · 2021
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Individuals affected
- 36,086
- Submission date
- Feb 5, 2021
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- Yes
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, reported that employees of its business associate were the victims of an email phishing scheme that affected the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 36,086 individuals. The ePHI involved included names, dates of birth, addresses, drivers’ license information, Social Security numbers, financial information, and diagnoses. The BA notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and posted substitute notification...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 36,086 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Feb 5, 2021.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Hacking/IT Incident, 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 The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center 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 The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.