Community Health Network, Inc. as an Affiliated Covered Entity

OCR opened a compliance review into the covered entity (CE), Community Health Network, due to its potential use of online tracking technology. In response to the compliance review, the CE determined that the protected health information (PHI) of 1,500,000 individuals was impermissibly disclosed to third-party tracking technology vendors, such as Facebook and Google. The PHI involved included names, health insurance information, IP addresses, and treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and provided substitute notice. In response to the breach, the CE ceased using online tacking technology and implemented additional administrative and technical safeguards.