HHS OCR report · 2020
Houston Methodist Hospital data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Texas
- Individuals affected
- 1,987
- Submission date
- Apr 17, 2020
- Type of breach
- Theft
- Location of breached information
- Other Portable Electronic Device
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Houston Methodist Hospital, reported that an employee of its business associate (BA) was the victim of a burglary in which external storage drives were stolen. This breach affected the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 1,987 individuals. The ePHI involved included names, dates of birth, and other treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, and the media. In response to the breach, the BA’s employees were retrained on the prope...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Houston Methodist Hospital
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Methodist Hospital | TX | Healthcare Provider | 1,359 | Sep 25, 2017 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Houston Methodist Hospital | TX | Healthcare Provider | 1,417 | Mar 17, 2017 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Houston Methodist Hospital | TX | Healthcare Provider | 1,341 | Jan 2, 2014 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Houston Methodist Hospital data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,987 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Apr 17, 2020.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Theft, with the breached information located in: Other Portable Electronic Device.
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 Houston Methodist Hospital 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 Houston Methodist Hospital.