Over 500 patients in Maine were left shocked and confused after receiving letters from the state’s largest healthcare provider, MaineHealth, stating they were dead. The letters, which were sent out on October 20, came from an automated system that allegedly malfunctioned, leading to a major communication error that the hospital network has since admitted and apologized for.
According to a statement released by MaineHealth, a total of 521 letters were mistakenly generated and mailed through a third-party vendor. Each letter was written as if the recipient had passed away, sparking confusion and, in some cases, fear among the individuals who received them.
“MaineHealth sincerely regrets this error,” the organization said in its statement. “We have since resolved the issue and sent apology letters to every affected patient.”
Hospital officials were quick to clarify that no patients were actually marked as deceased in their official medical records, and there was no disruption to medical care or treatment as a result of the mistake. The error was reportedly tied to a single automated tool used in an estate-notification system, which is based out of MaineHealth’s Portland headquarters.
That system is responsible for managing communications related to patients who are reported deceased, usually to coordinate legal or medical next steps. However, in this case, the system glitched and sent out letters to hundreds of living individuals instead.
MaineHealth oversees several major hospitals, including Maine Medical Center and eight others across Maine and New Hampshire. With over 20,000 employees, it is considered one of the largest healthcare systems in the region. The organization recently upgraded parts of its digital infrastructure, including electronic medical record systems and automated communication tools. Officials say they are now reviewing the automation process that triggered the incident and are taking steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Nationwide, hospitals and health networks have increasingly turned to automation to manage communications and records, but not without problems. From incorrect bills to digital alerts that falsely declare patients deceased, glitches in electronic health systems have created concerns for years. A 2022 report from Pew Charitable Trusts pointed to common errors in electronic medical records as potential risks for patient safety. These include missed lab results, incorrect prescriptions, and failures in alert systems.
MaineHealth sent more than 500 living patients letters indicating that they were dead as a result of a computer system error, the state’s largest healthcare provider says. https://t.co/HFaxTUuOuq
Should MaineHealth take further action to prevent future communication errors?— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 5, 2025
One woman who spoke with local Maine outlet WGME described her reaction when she opened the letter. “It was pretty upsetting to open that,” she said. “Why would they say I was dead? So, it was really shocking and upsetting.”
She added that while she had received some medical testing recently, nothing in her health history would suggest a life-threatening condition. “I haven’t even been in the hospital for anything serious that I could have died from,” she said. “So, I don’t even know where they got that information.”
MaineHealth confirmed that no private health information was leaked or exposed in the process. The mistake was contained to the content of the letter and did not impact electronic records, insurance, or future treatment access.
Patients who received the incorrect letters have been encouraged to contact the hospital network’s patient relations department to confirm their status and verify the accuracy of their health records.
