531 Hospital Patients Declared Dead by Mistake After ‘Unbelievable’ Glitch

Hundreds of patients in Maine were left terrified after receiving letters from a hospital system informing their families they had died — despite being very much alive.

The bizarre incident unfolded on October 20, when MaineHealth, a major nonprofit hospital network serving Maine and New Hampshire, sent out 531 condolence letters in what it now admits was a massive computer system blunder.

“It was really shocking and upsetting,” said one woman from Sanford, who spoke to CBS 13 News under the condition of anonymity. “I opened it and thought, ‘Why are they saying I’m dead?’”

According to MaineHealth, the problem originated with a technical malfunction in the organization’s automated mailing system, which triggered letters intended for next of kin — complete with condolences and instructions on how to settle the deceased’s estate.

“These were system-generated letters that were never supposed to be sent,” a MaineHealth spokesperson told ABC News, adding that “at no time were any patients listed as deceased in their medical records.”

The hospital network has since issued apology letters to everyone affected and insists that the glitch “has been fully resolved.”

But for those who received them, the shock was very real.

The Sanford woman said she immediately called MaineHealth after getting the letter, fearing the false report could cause chaos with her insurance, finances, or even credit.

“The man on the phone said, ‘I’m glad to hear you’re still alive and well,’” she recalled. “I said, ‘Yeah, me too.’ Then that was the end of the conversation.”

Adding insult to injury, the letter reportedly included information about how the hospital could collect on her outstanding medical bill from her estate.

“I haven’t even been in the hospital for anything serious,” she said. “So I don’t even know how they got that information.”

Experts say mistaken death notifications are rare but can have major repercussions — from frozen bank accounts to canceled insurance policies. In 2022, a California man spent months trying to prove he was alive after the Social Security Administration incorrectly marked him as deceased.

“This kind of mistake is not just embarrassing — it can be financially devastating,” said healthcare policy analyst Dr. Thomas Ellery, who told News Center Maine that such errors “undermine public trust in healthcare systems already struggling with digital reliability.”

MaineHealth, which operates multiple hospitals including Maine Medical Center in Portland, said it has launched a review of its data systems to ensure the glitch never happens again.

“MaineHealth sincerely regrets this error,” the organization said in a statement. “We have contacted all patients affected and want to reassure them that their medical records remain accurate.”

Still, the Sanford woman says she’s not taking any chances.

“After something like this, you start wondering what else could go wrong,” she said. “If they can ‘kill me off’ in a letter, what’s next?”