Kaiser Permanente members could get cash in $46M privacy settlement

"In a statement shared with SFGATE, Kaiser denied the privacy breach allegations and said it agreed to settle the case "to avoid the prolonged time, expense, and uncertainty of continued litigation." "We are not aware of any misuse of personal information, and this matter did not involve disclosure of usernames, passwords, Social Security numbers, financial account information, or credit card numbers," Kaiser said."

"Anyone who used the authenticated webpages from November 2017 to May 2024 in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington or the District of Columbia could be eligible for cash, according to the settlement webpage. The payments are expected to range between $20 and $40, the settlement page stated. Current and former members have until March 12 to submit a claim online."

"It's unclear how many people will qualify for the payments, but the health care provider has approximately 12.6 million members, according to its website. Members received an email notice from the settlement administrator this week with details about the claims. A final "fairness hearing" is scheduled for May 7. The settlement page notes that the total settlement could increase to up to $47.5 million."

Kaiser Permanente agreed to a $46 million class-action settlement over allegations that its websites and mobile apps used third-party tracking and shared patients' personal information. Anyone who used authenticated webpages from November 2017 through May 2024 in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, or the District of Columbia could be eligible. Payments are expected to range from $20 to $40, and current and former members have until March 12 to submit claims online. Kaiser denied the allegations, said it settled to avoid prolonged litigation and expense, and stated no known misuse of sensitive personal data occurred. A fairness hearing is scheduled for May 7 and the total settlement could increase to $47.5 million.

Read at SFGATE