Website Privacy Policy

Baystate Health Website Privacy Policy Statement

Last Updated: 6/19/2026

Baystate Health (BH) is committed to protecting your privacy. We have taken steps to safeguard your information and designed our website (baystatehealth.org) to allow you to visit most areas without identifying yourself or providing personal information.

For those areas where you choose to provide identifiable information, we use that information only to support your relationship with Baystate Health and to fulfill your requests.

This Website Privacy Policy explains what information is collected through our public-facing website and how that information is used. Changes to this policy may occur from time to time, and updates will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Your Consent

By using our website, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of information as described in this Privacy Policy and agree to abide by our posted Terms of Use.

If you provide us with your email address, you agree that we may use it to communicate with you regarding services, programs, or information you have requested or that may be of general interest.

What Information Do We Collect?

On certain pages of our website, you may request information or services that require a response. In those cases, we may collect personal information such as:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Mailing address
• Payment information (e.g., credit card details)
• Other information necessary to fulfill your request

This information may be used to:

• Respond to your request
• Provide services or process transactions
• Communicate with you about requested services or general informational programs

Protected Health Information

To understand how we use or disclose “Protected Health Information” (PHI), including information you provide while receiving care or through the Baystate Patient Portal, please review our Notice of Privacy Practices.

This Website Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through our public website and does not govern clinical or patient care information.

Cookies, Tracking Technologies, Analytics, and Advertising

Baystate Health, as well as our service providers, may collect certain information about the device you use to access our website and your use of the website. This may include the use of cookies and similar technologies.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files that websites store on your device through your web browser. They are widely used, and most browsers accept cookies by default.

Types of Technologies We Use

We may use:

• Cookies necessary for website functionality
• Cookies that measure website traffic and performance
• Cookies that help us understand how visitors use our site
• Cookies that remember preferences and improve user experience
• Social media tools that enable content sharing

We may also use similar technologies such as pixels, tags, or web beacons for analytics and communication purposes.

How We Use These Technologies

These technologies help us:

• Maintain and improve website functionality and performance
• Understand how visitors interact with our website (such as pages visited and navigation patterns)
• Improve the quality, relevance, and usability of our content
• Evaluate the effectiveness of our communications and outreach efforts
• Support internal reporting and planning

Where feasible, Baystate Health configures its analytics and website measurement tools to minimize the collection, use, and sharing of information that may identify a visitor or reveal sensitive activity. We use privacy-enhancing configurations and processes intended to limit sensitive data exposure, including controls designed to restrict or encrypt what information is shared with analytics and advertising service providers and provide limits on individual IP tracking.

Information collected through these technologies is used primarily to understand website performance, improve user experience, and support aggregate reporting and planning.

Service Providers

We may work with third-party service providers that assist us with website hosting, analytics, communications, and other operational functions.

These providers are authorized to use information only as necessary to perform services on behalf of Baystate Health and are required to follow applicable privacy and security standards.

Advertising and Marketing Use

Baystate Health may use information collected through cookies and similar technologies to better understand and improve how we communicate health information and services to our community.

This may include evaluating the effectiveness of outreach efforts and improving the relevance of general health-related information provided through our website and communications. In some cases, this may include helping ensure that general Baystate Health information or messages are more relevant to your interests.

Baystate Health does not use website information to make decisions about an individual’s medical care, treatment, or eligibility for services.

Analytics and Privacy Controls

Baystate Health uses privacy-enhancing technologies and processes designed to protect sensitive information while enabling us to understand and improve website performance.

We take steps to limit the collection and sharing of sensitive data and to ensure that information used for analytics and website improvement purposes is handled in accordance with applicable data and healthcare privacy requirements.

We may use tools and service providers that help us analyze website activity, measure performance, and improve user experience. These tools are configured to support privacy and data protection standards appropriate for healthcare environments.

Cookie Preferences and Consent

Baystate Health provides tools that allow you to manage your preferences regarding cookies and similar technologies used on our website.

Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may be presented with a cookie consent banner, pop-up, and/or preference center when visiting our website. This tool allows you to:

• Accept or decline certain categories of cookies
• Adjust your preferences at any time
• Learn more about how cookies are used on our website

Your preferences will be honored in accordance with applicable privacy laws and our technical capabilities.

Please note:

• Some cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be disabled
• Your preferences may be stored using cookies and may need to be reset if you clear your browser data or use a different device

Can You Restrict Cookies?

Most internet browsers accept cookies by default, but you can modify your browser settings to block or restrict cookies if you prefer.

Please note:

• Disabling cookies may impact your ability to use certain features of the website
• If you clear cookies or use multiple devices, you may need to reset your preferences

Your Choices

You may:

• Adjust your browser settings to manage cookies
• Use available cookie preference tools on our website
• Opt out of marketing communications from Baystate Health

You may also opt out of certain types of interest-based advertising through industry opt-out tools. Please note that you may still receive general, non-personalized information.

Do Not Track Signals

Some web browsers offer a “Do Not Track” feature. At this time, our website does not respond to Do Not Track signals in a uniform way, but we continue to evaluate evolving standards.

No Use of Website Data for Patient Care Decisions

Information collected through this website for analytics or general marketing purposes is not used to identify individuals in connection with their medical conditions or care.

Information you provide in connection with patient care—including through patient portals, appointment requests, or communications with providers—is governed separately by our Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable healthcare laws.

Email and “Send a Comment”

This website provides opportunities to send comments or emails to Baystate personnel. These communications are not encrypted and function like standard email. Please consider the sensitivity of the information you choose to share.

Privacy Outside the Baystate Website

If you navigate to a website that does not contain “baystatehealth.org” in the URL, this Privacy Policy does not apply. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of those external sites.

Security

The confidentiality and security of your information are important to Baystate Health. We maintain an information security and privacy program designed to protect against loss, misuse, or alteration of information submitted through this website.

We use appropriate safeguards, including encryption where applicable, and maintain policies and procedures to protect the information we collect. Employees are required to follow privacy and confidentiality standards.

Children’s Guidelines

This website is not directed toward children under the age of 13. We encourage parents and guardians to supervise children’s online activity.

How You Can Correct Your Information

If you believe personal information you have provided to us is inaccurate, you may request corrections by:

• Emailing us
• Sending postal mail
• Calling Marketing at 413-794-4287

We will make reasonable efforts to correct inaccuracies.

Contacting Baystate Health

If you have questions or concerns about this Website Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:

Compliance Office
Email: ComplianceOffice@baystatehealth.org
Phone: 413-794-7955

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.