SSM Health MyChart Lawsuit Settlement: Eligibility, Payment Updates, and Privacy Claims

MyChart Lawsuit Settlement
Written by: Musarat Bano

The SSM Health MyChart lawsuit settlement resolves claims that SSM Health used tracking technologies on its MyChart patient portal that allegedly transmitted certain patient information to third parties without proper authorization. The proposed settlement allows eligible patients to seek benefits while SSM Health denies any wrongdoing or legal liability.

SSM Health MyChart Lawsuit Summary

  • Case: Jane Doe v. SSM Health Care Corporation
  • Court: Circuit Court of St. Louis
  • Current Status: Preliminary settlement approved
  • Allegations: Tracking technologies allegedly shared patient portal information
  • Defendant Position: SSM Health denies wrongdoing
  • Eligible Class: Patients using MyChart between July 6, 2020, and February 10, 2023
  • Settlement Administrator: Epiq
  • Final Hearing: November 21, 2025
Case Detail Information
Case Name Jane Doe v. SSM Health Care Corporation d/b/a SSM Health
Court Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri
Case Number 2222-CC10014-01
Document Reviewed Proposed Order Granting Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement
Order Entered September 2, 2025
Current Status Preliminary settlement approved; final approval hearing scheduled
Settlement Class Patients who logged into the SSM Health MyChart patient portal between July 6, 2020, and February 10, 2023
Settlement Administrator Epiq
Final Approval Hearing November 21, 2025

The preliminary approval order states that the court found the proposed settlement sufficiently fair, reasonable, and adequate to notify class members and continue toward final approval. The order also appoints Epiq as the Settlement Administrator and authorizes the settlement notice program for eligible patients. These findings relate to settlement approval only and do not represent a judicial determination that SSM Health committed any legal violation.

Key Takeaways

The proposed settlement covers patients who accessed the SSM Health MyChart patient portal during the specified class period. Eligible individuals may submit a claim for settlement benefits if they satisfy the requirements described in the official settlement notice.

According to the preliminary approval order, the settlement class includes natural persons who logged into the MyChart portal from July 6, 2020, through February 10, 2023. The court also established procedures for class notice, claim submission, objections, and exclusion requests before the final approval hearing.

Here are the most important points:

  • The lawsuit concerns alleged patient privacy issues involving the SSM Health MyChart portal.
  • SSM Health denies the allegations and denies any wrongdoing.
  • The court granted preliminary approval of the proposed class settlement.
  • Epiq was appointed to administer notices and claims.
  • Eligible class members may submit claims before the applicable deadline.
  • Individuals who do not wish to participate may request exclusion.
  • Class members who remain in the settlement may object before the objection deadline.
  • A Final Approval Hearing was scheduled for November 21, 2025, when the court would determine whether to grant final approval.

Settlement Overview

The SSM Health MyChart settlement is a proposed class action resolution intended to resolve privacy-related claims without continuing through trial. A settlement does not necessarily mean the defendant admitted liability. Instead, it allows both sides to avoid the uncertainty, expense, and time associated with prolonged litigation.

The lawsuit alleges that tracking technologies embedded within the SSM Health MyChart patient portal may have transmitted certain information to third-party technology companies. Similar allegations have appeared in numerous healthcare privacy lawsuits filed across the United States involving hospital websites and online patient portals.

Under the proposed agreement, eligible settlement class members may receive benefits after submitting valid claims, while SSM Health continues to deny violating any law or improperly handling patient information. The preliminary approval order states that the court considered factors such as litigation risks, the complexity of the case, the proposed method for distributing benefits, and the fairness of the settlement before granting preliminary approval. Final approval remained subject to a later court hearing.

What Is the SSM Health MyChart Lawsuit?

The SSM Health MyChart lawsuit is a proposed class action that alleges SSM Health used tracking technologies, including Meta Pixel and Google Analytics, on its MyChart patient portal in a way that may have transmitted certain patient-related information to third parties without patients’ knowledge or consent. The plaintiffs claim these practices violated their privacy rights, while SSM Health denies all allegations and denies any wrongdoing.

The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri, under Jane Doe v. SSM Health Care Corporation d/b/a SSM Health (Case No. 2222-CC10014-01). The court granted preliminary approval of a proposed class action settlement on September 2, 2025, allowing eligible patients who logged into the SSM Health MyChart portal between July 6, 2020, and February 10, 2023, to participate in the settlement if it receives final court approval. The settlement resolves disputed claims without any admission of liability by SSM Health.

Why the Lawsuit Was Filed

The SSM Health MyChart lawsuit was filed after plaintiffs alleged that tracking technologies embedded in the MyChart patient portal disclosed certain patient information to third parties without patients’ knowledge or meaningful consent. The lawsuit contends that this alleged data sharing violated privacy rights and other legal obligations. However, SSM Health denies all allegations and denies any wrongdoing, and the proposed settlement was reached to resolve the dispute without further litigation.

According to the allegations made in the lawsuit, SSM Health used online tracking tools on portions of its MyChart patient portal. Plaintiffs claimed these technologies could have transmitted information generated when patients logged into their accounts, scheduled appointments, searched for providers, or interacted with healthcare services. The lawsuit alleges that this information may have been shared with third-party technology companies for analytics or advertising-related purposes.

It is important to distinguish between allegations and established facts. The court has not ruled that SSM Health unlawfully disclosed patient information. Instead, the court granted preliminary approval to a proposed class action settlement after finding that the agreement appeared fair, reasonable, and adequate for settlement purposes. The settlement specifically states that SSM Health continues to deny liability while avoiding the cost, delay, and uncertainty of continued litigation.

The lawsuit is also part of a broader nationwide wave of healthcare privacy litigation involving hospital websites and patient portals that allegedly used tracking technologies such as Meta Pixel and Google Analytics. Many healthcare providers have faced similar claims in recent years as courts continue to examine how online tracking tools interact with medical privacy laws.

Timeline

The SSM Health MyChart litigation developed over several years before reaching the proposed settlement stage. The following timeline summarizes the key events based on available court records and the preliminary approval order.

Date Event
July 6, 2020 Beginning of the proposed settlement class period for eligible MyChart users.
February 10, 2023 End of the proposed settlement class period.
2025 Parties negotiated a proposed class action settlement.
September 2, 2025 Court entered the Proposed Order Granting Preliminary Approval of the Settlement.
Within 30 days of Preliminary Approval Settlement Administrator was directed to begin the class notice program.
30 days after the Notice Date Deadline for exclusions (opt-outs) and objections.
60 days after the Notice Date Deadline to submit settlement claims.
November 21, 2025 Final Approval Hearing scheduled before the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis.

The court also established deadlines for filing motions related to attorneys’ fees, distributing notices, processing exclusion requests, and seeking final approval. These procedural milestones help ensure that class members receive adequate notice and have an opportunity to participate, object, or exclude themselves before the settlement becomes final.

How MyChart Works

MyChart is an online patient portal that allows patients to securely access portions of their medical information and communicate with their healthcare providers. Many hospitals and health systems across the United States use MyChart to give patients convenient digital access to healthcare services.

Developed by Epic Systems, MyChart allows patients to perform a wide range of healthcare-related activities without visiting a hospital or clinic. Depending on the healthcare provider, patients may use the portal to:

  • View medical records and laboratory results.
  • Schedule or manage appointments.
  • Send secure messages to healthcare providers.
  • Request prescription refills.
  • Pay medical bills.
  • Review visit summaries and treatment information.

When a patient logs into MyChart, the portal exchanges information between the patient’s browser and the healthcare provider’s secure servers to display account information. Like many modern websites, healthcare portals may also use website technologies that measure page performance, website usage, and user interactions. Those technologies became the focus of numerous privacy lawsuits after plaintiffs alleged that certain tracking tools transmitted information to outside companies without proper authorization.

Using a patient portal does not automatically mean a person’s protected health information was improperly shared. Whether any particular information was disclosed, what information was involved, and whether such disclosures violated applicable law are legal questions that depend on the specific facts alleged in each case. In the SSM Health litigation, those issues were resolved through a proposed settlement rather than a judicial finding on the merits.

How Meta Pixel and Google Analytics Work

Meta Pixel and Google Analytics are website tracking technologies that help website owners understand how visitors use their websites. In the SSM Health MyChart lawsuit, plaintiffs alleged that these tools transmitted certain patient-related information to third parties when users interacted with the MyChart patient portal. SSM Health denies these allegations and any legal wrongdoing.

Meta Pixel is a small piece of JavaScript code that website owners place on webpages. When someone visits a page or performs an action, such as logging in, clicking a button, or scheduling an appointment, the pixel can send event data back to Meta. Businesses commonly use this information to measure advertising performance, improve marketing campaigns, and better understand visitor behavior.

Google Analytics serves a different purpose. Rather than delivering advertisements, it helps website administrators measure website traffic and performance. Google Analytics can record information such as page views, session duration, referral sources, browser type, and general user interactions. Organizations often rely on these reports to improve website design, troubleshoot technical issues, and understand how visitors navigate their websites.

The lawsuit does not claim that these technologies are inherently unlawful. Instead, plaintiffs alleged that their implementation within a healthcare patient portal allowed certain patient-related information to be transmitted without proper authorization or informed consent. Those allegations were resolved through a proposed class action settlement, and the court has not ruled that SSM Health violated any law.

Alleged Data Sharing

The lawsuit alleges that certain patient interactions with the MyChart portal may have generated information that was shared with third-party technology companies through website tracking tools. These allegations remain disputed, and SSM Health denies that it improperly disclosed patient information.

According to the allegations, the information at issue could have included details generated while patients used the online portal, such as logging into their accounts, viewing healthcare services, searching for providers, requesting appointments, or interacting with other MyChart features. Plaintiffs argued that some of this information may have been transmitted through tracking technologies for analytics or advertising-related purposes.

It is important to understand that the lawsuit does not allege that every patient experienced the same disclosure or that every piece of information stored within MyChart was shared. The exact information allegedly transmitted depended on how the website functioned during the relevant period and how tracking technologies were configured.

Healthcare privacy lawsuits involving tracking pixels have become more common because patient portals often contain information that may relate to an individual’s medical care. When website tracking tools operate within these environments, plaintiffs frequently argue that even limited data transmissions could implicate privacy laws if users were not properly informed or did not provide legally sufficient consent.

The proposed settlement resolves these disputed allegations without any admission of liability by SSM Health.

Legal Claims Explained

The lawsuit asserts several legal theories based on alleged privacy violations arising from the use of online tracking technologies within the SSM Health MyChart patient portal. Because the case settled before trial, the court did not determine whether any of these claims were ultimately proven.

Although the preliminary approval order does not describe every cause of action in detail, healthcare privacy lawsuits involving tracking technologies commonly include claims based on privacy statutes, consumer protection laws, negligence, unjust enrichment, breach of implied contract, and other state law causes of action. Plaintiffs generally argue that healthcare providers owed patients a duty to protect sensitive information and to disclose how online tracking technologies collected or transmitted user data.

Many similar lawsuits filed across the United States also reference laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), although HIPAA itself does not usually allow private individuals to sue for damages. Instead, plaintiffs often rely on state privacy laws or common-law claims while citing HIPAA standards as evidence of the level of confidentiality patients reasonably expect from healthcare providers.

The proposed settlement does not establish that SSM Health violated HIPAA or any other law. Rather, it allows both parties to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation while providing a process for eligible class members to seek settlement benefits if the court grants final approval.

Settlement Terms

The proposed SSM Health MyChart settlement is designed to resolve the privacy lawsuit without requiring a trial. By settling the case, both parties avoid the uncertainty, expense, and time associated with continued litigation. The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing by SSM Health.

Under the preliminary approval order, eligible class members may submit claims for settlement benefits if they meet the requirements outlined in the official settlement notice. The agreement also establishes procedures for class notice, claim administration, objections, exclusions, and final court approval. The court concluded that the proposed settlement was sufficiently fair, reasonable, and adequate to warrant notifying the settlement class, although final approval remained subject to a later hearing.

The settlement also appoints Epiq as the Settlement Administrator to manage notices, process claims, and oversee the distribution of settlement benefits if the court grants final approval.

Eligibility

Not every SSM Health patient is automatically included in the settlement. Eligibility depends on whether an individual falls within the court-approved settlement class definition.

According to the preliminary approval order, the proposed settlement class includes:

All natural persons who were patients of SSM Health and logged into the SSM Health MyChart patient portal between July 6, 2020, and February 10, 2023.

Certain individuals are excluded from the settlement class, including:

  • The judge assigned to the case and members of the judge’s immediate family.
  • Officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, and legal representatives of SSM Health.
  • Individuals who submitted a valid request for exclusion.
  • Other persons specifically excluded under the settlement agreement.

Receiving a settlement notice does not automatically guarantee payment. Eligible individuals must satisfy the claim requirements described in the official settlement documents.

Compensation

Eligible class members who submit valid claims may receive settlement benefits if the court grants final approval. The exact payment amount depends on the terms of the settlement agreement, the number of valid claims submitted, and any deductions approved by the court.

The preliminary approval order reviewed by our editorial team does not specify the exact cash payment amount payable to each claimant. Because settlement distributions often vary based on participation rates and court-approved expenses, readers should rely on the official settlement website and claim materials for the most current payment information rather than unofficial estimates.

Some healthcare privacy settlements also include identity protection or credit monitoring services in addition to cash payments. The availability of those benefits depends on the final settlement terms approved by the court and described in the official notice.

Important Deadlines

Meeting the settlement deadlines is essential. Missing a filing deadline may result in losing the right to receive settlement benefits.

According to the preliminary approval order, the following schedule applies:

Deadline Description
Notice Program Begins Within 30 days after preliminary approval
Opt-Out Deadline 30 days after the Notice Date
Objection Deadline 30 days after the Notice Date
Claim Submission Deadline 60 days after the Notice Date
Final Approval Hearing November 21, 2025

The court may modify these deadlines if necessary. Individuals considering filing a claim should verify current dates through the official settlement administrator before taking action.

How to File a Claim

Eligible class members generally must submit a completed claim form before the deadline to receive settlement benefits. Filing a valid claim does not guarantee payment, but it is typically required to participate in the settlement.

The claim process usually involves:

  1. Confirming that you are a member of the settlement class.
  2. Completing the official claim form.
  3. Providing any required information requested by the Settlement Administrator.
  4. Submitting the claim before the applicable deadline.
  5. Waiting for final court approval and claim review.

The preliminary approval order authorizes Epiq to administer the claims process. Class members should carefully review the official settlement notice because incomplete or late claims may be rejected.

Court Approval Process

A class action settlement does not become effective immediately after the parties reach an agreement. The court must determine whether the proposed settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate for all settlement class members.

The approval process generally includes:

  • Preliminary approval by the court.
  • Distribution of notice to eligible class members.
  • Opportunity for class members to submit claims.
  • Opportunity to object or request exclusion.
  • Final Approval Hearing.
  • Entry of a final approval order if the court approves the settlement.

In this case, the court granted preliminary approval on September 2, 2025, and scheduled a Final Approval Hearing for November 21, 2025. During that hearing, the court would consider objections, evaluate the settlement terms, and determine whether final approval should be granted.

Similar Healthcare Privacy Lawsuits

The SSM Health MyChart lawsuit is one of many healthcare privacy cases involving website tracking technologies. Similar lawsuits have been filed against hospitals, medical centers, and healthcare systems across the United States after plaintiffs alleged that tracking tools transmitted patient-related information to third-party technology companies.

Many of these lawsuits involve technologies such as Meta Pixel, Google Analytics, and other online tracking tools integrated into patient portals or hospital websites. Plaintiffs generally argue that healthcare providers failed to obtain adequate consent before transmitting certain browsing or healthcare-related information. Healthcare organizations, in turn, have frequently denied violating privacy laws and have raised various legal defenses.

As healthcare increasingly relies on digital patient portals and online scheduling systems, courts continue to examine how traditional medical privacy principles apply to modern website analytics and advertising technologies. Several cases have resulted in proposed settlements, while others remain pending.

Impact on Patients and Healthcare Providers

This litigation highlights the growing importance of digital privacy in modern healthcare. Patients increasingly expect that information entered into online patient portals will remain confidential, while healthcare providers must balance user experience, cybersecurity, website performance, and regulatory compliance.

The recent wave of tracking-pixel lawsuits has encouraged many healthcare organizations to review their websites, reassess third-party technologies, strengthen privacy disclosures, and evaluate how online tools interact with protected health information. Technology vendors have also issued updated guidance regarding the use of analytics and advertising tools on healthcare-related websites.

For patients, these lawsuits serve as a reminder to review privacy notices, understand how online portals function, and remain informed about any legal notices relating to healthcare data practices.

FAQs

What is the SSM Health MyChart lawsuit about?

The lawsuit alleges that tracking technologies on the SSM Health MyChart patient portal transmitted certain patient-related information to third parties without proper authorization. SSM Health denies these allegations.

Did SSM Health admit wrongdoing?

No. The proposed settlement specifically resolves disputed claims without any admission of liability or wrongdoing by SSM Health.

Who may qualify for the settlement?

According to the preliminary approval order, eligible individuals include patients who logged into the SSM Health MyChart patient portal between July 6, 2020, and February 10, 2023, subject to the settlement’s exclusions.

Do I need to submit a claim?

Yes. Eligible class members generally must submit a valid claim form before the deadline to receive settlement benefits.

Will everyone receive the same payment?

Not necessarily. Payment amounts may depend on the settlement agreement, the number of approved claims, court-approved deductions, and other settlement terms.

Is the settlement final?

The preliminary approval order scheduled a Final Approval Hearing for November 21, 2025. Final approval depends on the court’s decision following that hearing.

Official Sources and Court Documents

The information in this article is based on publicly available legal records and official settlement materials, including:

  • Proposed Order Granting Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement, Jane Doe v. SSM Health Care Corporation d/b/a SSM Health, Case No. 2222-CC10014-01, Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri.
  • Official settlement website and court-approved notice.
  • Official claim form and settlement administrator materials.
  • Court filings and related public records.
Written by

Musarat Bano is a content writer for JudicialOcean.com who covers lawsuits, legal news, and general legal topics. Her work focuses on research-based, informational content developed from publicly available sources and is intended to support public awareness. She does not provide legal advice or professional legal services.