Kaiser Permanente privacy settlement could pay members cash

Kaiser Permanente agreed to a proposed $46 million settlement over alleged privacy violations, and current and former members who used authenticated webpages in specified states between November 2017 and May 2024 can submit claims online by March 12.

Kaiser Permanente has agreed to a proposed $46 million class-action settlement that addresses allegations its websites and mobile apps used third-party tracking and shared patient information. The settlement covers people who used authenticated webpages from November 2017 through May 2024 in several states and the District of Columbia. Kaiser has denied the breach allegations and said it settled to avoid prolonged litigation while stating it was not aware of any misuse of personal information. A final fairness hearing is scheduled for May 7. Key details: - The settlement amount is reported as $46 million and could increase to up to $47.5 million. - Eligibility covers users of authenticated webpages in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia between Nov. 2017 and May 2024. - Payments are expected to range roughly between $20 and $40 per claimant, according to the settlement page. - Current and former members have until March 12 to submit a claim online, per the settlement notice. - Kaiser said it denied the privacy breach allegations, removed some online technologies in 2024, and stated it was not aware of misuse of personal information or disclosures of usernames, passwords, Social Security numbers, financial account data, or credit card numbers. Summary: The settlement resolves claims that third-party tracking on Kaiser’s authenticated sites and apps may have shared members’ information. A fairness hearing is set for May 7 and claim filings are open through March 12; how many members will qualify is undetermined at this time.