HHS OCR report · 2016
National Counseling Group data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- National Counseling Group
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Virginia
- Individuals affected
- 23,000
- Submission date
- Mar 21, 2016
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
An unauthorized user accessed multiple employees' email accounts after the employees responded to phishing emails. The breach included the protected health information (PHI) of 23,000 individuals and included names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial information, and clinical information. The covered entity (CE) provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. Following the breach, the CE implemented two-factor auth...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the National Counseling Group data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 23,000 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Mar 21, 2016.
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 National Counseling Group 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 National Counseling Group.