Website Privacy Policy

Baystate Health Website Privacy Policy Statement

Baystate Health (BH) is committed to protecting your privacy and we have taken steps to protect your information. We have designed our website (baystatehealth.org) to allow you to visit most areas without identifying yourself or supplying personal information. For those areas where you are requested to provide identifiable information, we assure you that it will only be used to support your customer/patient relationship with BH.

Our Website Privacy Policy will explain what information is collected by our public-facing website and how this information is used. Changes to our Website Privacy Policy may occur at any time. When any changes are made to our Privacy Policy updates will be made to the information on this page, please review this Privacy Policy regularly.

Your Consent

By using our website, you consent to the collection, use and sharing of information as described in this Privacy Policy, and to abide by our posted (“Terms of Use”). Please read through the privacy policy before using the website. By providing us with an email address, you agree that we may use your email address to communicate with you about our services.

What information do we collect?

On some BH website pages, you may request information which requires a response. We may ask for information when you register for a class, pay your bill or request appointments or information through website forms. Therefore, we may need your name, email address, phone number, social security number, physicians' names, credit card number, etc. to fulfill your request. We may also use that information to communicate to you information about additional services in which you might be interested.

Disclosure

To understand how we use or disclose “Protected health information,” including information you provide to a Baystate health facility while being treated as a patient of that facility or that you provide within the Baystate Patient portal, please review our Notice of Privacy Practices. Questions about our Notice of Privacy Practices? Contact us at ComplianceOffice@baystatehealth.org.

Privacy outside the BH website

Once you click to another website, that does not contain baystatehealth.org, this Website Privacy Policy no longer applies.

Security

The confidentiality and security of your information is important to Baystate Health. We maintain an information security and privacy program to protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information you choose to provide Baystate through this site.

High level encryption ensures protection when providing sensitive data such as credit card information and forms that request personal information. We also have policies and procedures in place to safeguard the information we collect online, and all employees agree to abide by our privacy and confidentiality policies.

About "Cookies"

Baystate, as well as our service providers and advertising partners, may collect certain information about the device you use to access our website and your use of our website. This includes but is not limited to cookies.

“Cookies” are small data files that online services can store on, and retrieve from, a user’s computer or mobile device through the web browser. Cookies are very commonly used by websites and most browsers are configured by default to accept cookies.

What types of cookies do we use?

We may use the following types of cookies on our website:

• Cookies that are needed for the website or website features to work properly
• Cookies that measure website traffic to help us improve site performance
• Cookies that allow our website to remember what pages you visit to display personalized information
• Cookies set by social media services that make it possible for you to share content to social networks

If you are browsing the BH website, a cookie identifies only your browser. This allows us to identify general information and respond with internal marketing strategies, based on preferences, or interests you have indicated while visiting the site. If you would rather not take advantage of the benefits made possible by cookies, most browsers allow you to reject them or to choose which cookies to accept.

Can you restrict cookies?

Almost all internet browsers accept cookies by default, but you can modify your browser preferences to block or restrict cookies if you do not want your web browsing activity tracked.

Please note that if you delete your cookies or upgrade your browser after having opted out, you will need to opt out again. Further, if you use multiple browsers or devices you will need to opt out on each browser or device. You can access the information on this website without enabling cookies in your browser but disabling cookies may result in a diminished ability to take advantage of the services and related informational content on the website.

Email and "Send a Comment"

This site provides opportunities to "send a comment" or to send email to BH personnel. This email system is equivalent to your regular email system. It is not encrypted. Please be aware of how much personal information you provide in these areas.

Children's Guidelines

This website does not contain content directed at children under the age of 13.

Information on clinical procedures, sexuality, and drug abuse is available on other pages of this site. Therefore, we encourage you to provide guidelines to your children and to supervise and monitor their activities in cyberspace.

Your Choices/Opt-Out of Marketing Communications

Although many users appreciate receiving healthcare newsletters or other offers of healthcare information, we recognize the importance of providing you with the option to decline.

At any time, you may opt out of Baystate Health marketing communications using our secure form.

Postal mail may be sent to:

Marketing & Communications
Baystate Health System
280 Chestnut Street 5th floor
Springfield, MA 01199

Text Messaging

For information about opting in and out of Baystate Health text messaging, see our Text Messaging Terms of Use.

How you can correct your information/inaccuracies

In accordance with fair information practices, inaccuracies in personal information or preferences you provided to us may be corrected by sending an email (or postal mail as described above), or by calling Marketing at 413-794-4287. Changes will be acknowledged in the manner you prescribe.

Contacting the BH website

If you have any questions or concerns about this Website Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact the Compliance Office by email or by phone at 413-794-7955.

Last Updated May 15, 2023