Unauthorized Disclosure of Patients’ Protected Health Information During ABC Television Filming Results in Multiple HIPAA Settlements Totaling $999,000 – September 20, 2018

The Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that it has reached separate settlements with Boston Medical Center (BMC), Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for compromising the privacy of patients’ protected health information (PHI) by inviting film crews on premises to film an ABC television network documentary series, without first obtaining authorization from patients.

• Read the Press Release
• Read the Boston Medical Center Resolution Agreement
• Read the Brigham and Women's Hospital Resolution Agreement
• Read the Massachusetts General Hospital Resolution Agreement

A previous version of this press release mistakenly identified the TV series as “Boston Med.” “Boston Med,” also an ABC television series, was not involved in this investigation.