RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - The state's Health and Human Services Department has notified the federal government of a September breach of data that occurred when a spreadsheet was sent unencrypted to officials in Orange and Ashe counties.

The incident occurred September 14. The state is required to send notice when an inciden to occurs.

Affected individuals have been notified.
 
According to a Health and Human Services statement, the spreadsheet included data on 524 people: first name, last name, Medicaid recipient ID number, Social Security number, date of birth, address, gender, ethnicity, race, insurance information and provider name.   
 
New softward being used the agency now blocks the sending of unencrypted data.