HHS OCR report ยท 2021
Merrill Iron & Steel Health Benefit Plan data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Merrill Iron & Steel Health Benefit Plan
- Entity type
- Health Plan
- State
- Wisconsin
- Individuals affected
- 899
- Submission date
- Jan 21, 2021
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Network Server
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Merrill Iron & Steel Health Benefit Plan, the covered entity (CE), reported that it experienced a ransomware attack that affected the protected health information (PHI) of 899 individuals. The PHI involved included names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, and claims information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, and the media. In response to the breach, the CE provided complimentary credit monitoring to affected individuals and implemented additional technical saf...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Merrill Iron & Steel Health Benefit Plan data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 899 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jan 21, 2021.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Hacking/IT Incident, with the breached information located in: Network Server.
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 Merrill Iron & Steel Health Benefit Plan 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 Merrill Iron & Steel Health Benefit Plan.