HHS OCR report ยท 2020
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Washington
- Individuals affected
- 648
- Submission date
- Aug 20, 2020
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Washington Department of Social and Health Services, reported that an employee sent an email containing the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 648 individuals to the wrong recipients. The ePHI involved included names and email addresses. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, and the media. In its mitigation efforts, the CE strengthened its administrative safeguards to better protect its sensitive data. All staff were retrained.
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State Department of Social and Health Services | WA | Healthcare Provider | 515 | Nov 16, 2017 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Washington State Department of Social and Health Services | WA | Health Plan | 3,950 | Aug 9, 2011 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 648 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Aug 20, 2020.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, 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 Washington State Department of Social and Health 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 Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.