HHS OCR report · 2017
Texas Health and Human Services data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Texas Health and Human Services
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Texas
- Individuals affected
- 1,842
- Submission date
- Jun 15, 2017
- Type of breach
- Improper Disposal
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
OCR conducted an investigation of the covered entity (CE), Texas Health and Humans Services Commission (HHSC), after it reported that a workforce member improperly discarded several boxes containing protected health information (PHI) into a public dumpster. After being unable to retrieve all of the discarded boxes, HHSC conducted a forensic analysis of the workforce member’s computer and determined that the workforce member had access to approximately 1,842 patient files (number of individua...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Texas Health and Human Services
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Health and Human Services | TX | Health Plan | 3,392 | Mar 11, 2024 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Texas Health and Human Services data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,842 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jun 15, 2017.
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 Texas 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 Texas Health and Human Services.