HHS OCR report · 2019
Defense Health Headquarters data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Defense Health Headquarters
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Virginia
- Individuals affected
- 3,500
- Submission date
- Oct 4, 2019
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Electronic Medical Record
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Defense Health Headquarters, reported that a civilian Army employee accessed protected health information (PHI) in military electronic medical records systems and shared the information with other individuals for the purpose of identity theft. The breach affected approximately 3,500 individuals. The PHI disclosed included names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. Following the breach, the CE cooperated with the U.S. Department of Justice’s prosecution of ...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Defense Health Headquarters
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defense Health Headquarters | VA | Health Plan | 1,620 | Sep 9, 2020 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Defense Health Headquarters data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 3,500 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Oct 4, 2019.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Electronic Medical Record.
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 Defense Health Headquarters 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 Defense Health Headquarters.