On October 17, 2019, Chronic Care Management, Inc. (CCM) submitted a HIPAA email breach to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). CCM provides patient communication and engagement services to Matthews-Vu Medical Group.
The company mailed written notice letters on October 17, 2019, to all potentially involved patients for whom they had current address information. Chronic Care Management Inc. is classified as a Business Associate.
What happened?
On August 19, 2019, CCM discovered that an email announcement sent to certain patients about a care management program may have included an incorrect patient’s first and last name and the care management program for which they qualify.
CCM quickly investigated to determine what had happened and what information had been affected.
According to their press release: “The investigation ultimately determined that the email communication sent to certain patients on August 19 via CCM’s communications software may have included an incorrect patient name. This was a result of human error in CCM’s sorting of patient names and email addresses. CCM reviewed the communications and confirmed the limited personal health information that may have been disclosed as a result of the incident and the identities of the individuals whose information was involved.”
What information was involved?
CCM determined that the information in the emails may have included “a patient’s first and last name and the care management program for which they qualify. Social security numbers, dates of birth, mailing addresses, and other types of medical or financial information were not involved and were not disclosed.”
HHS Wall of Shame
The HHS Wall of Shame is a website under the management of HHS that lists all breaches reported within the last 24 months. The Wall of Shame includes HIPAA breaches that the Office for Civil Rights is currently investigating.
Pursuant to section 13402 of the HITECH Act, the HHS Secretary is required to post a list of protected health information breaches affecting 500 or more individuals.
HIPAA Breach Report
The Paubox HIPAA Breach Report analyzes breaches that affect 500 or more individuals as reported in the HHS Wall of Shame.
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