Did Margaret Mary Hospital Share Patient Data Without Consent? Class Action Lawsuit Leads to Settlement

Patients of Margaret Mary Community Hospital (MMCH) allege that the hospital allowed Meta Platforms and other third-party tech firms to access sensitive patient data through its online patient portal. According to the lawsuit, tracking tools such as the Meta Pixel were embedded in the hospital’s website and patient portal, potentially transmitting personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) without the patients’ knowledge or consent.

The case centers on whether this alleged practice violated federal privacy laws, particularly the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and whether users of the hospital’s digital systems were adequately informed about the data collection and sharing that allegedly occurred.
 

The class action lawsuit claims that when patients logged into the portal to schedule appointments, view lab results, or message their providers, Meta’s tools could capture identifying details such as names, appointment types, and medical concerns. These actions may have enabled Meta to match the data with user accounts on Facebook and Instagram, using it for targeted advertising or analytics.
 

How the Meta Pixel Tracking Allegations Began

Concerns over hospital data tracking first gained national attention in 2022 when privacy advocates and journalists revealed that Meta’s tracking pixel had reportedly been installed on hundreds of hospital websites. The technology, designed for marketing analytics, can record users’ online interactions and send that data to Meta’s servers.

In the case of healthcare organizations, this raised alarm because patients often disclose extremely sensitive information through hospital websites and patient portals. Even seemingly harmless clicks, such as viewing a cardiology specialist page, can reveal protected health information when connected with an identifiable user profile.
 

The lawsuits against Margaret Mary Community Hospital and several other health systems alleged that these institutions failed to safeguard patient data or properly notify users of how their personal and medical information could be shared with third parties.
 

The Margaret Mary Hospital Settlement

In response to the lawsuit, Margaret Mary Community Hospital agreed to a $215,329 class action settlement to resolve the claims without admitting wrongdoing. The settlement applies to individuals who used the hospital’s patient portal between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2023.

According to court filings, class members may be eligible for cash payments and data protection services as part of the resolution. While the exact payment amounts vary based on claim volume, the settlement represents an important acknowledgment of the risks associated with data sharing in healthcare settings.

The lawsuit does not allege that hackers breached the hospital’s system or that the information was sold on the dark web. Instead, it focuses on improper data transmission through authorized tracking tools, which many patients may have never realized were active on hospital websites.
 

Another health system, the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC), was also named in a related class action over similar Meta Pixel practices and has reached a separate agreement covering patients who used its portal between January 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025.

Who Qualifies for the Margaret Mary Hospital Settlement?

Patients who used the Margaret Mary Community Hospital patient portal during the eligible period, January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2023, may be included in the settlement class.
 

This includes individuals who:

• Created an online patient portal account with the hospital
• Logged in to view medical records, lab results, or appointment details
• Communicated with healthcare providers through the portal
• May have had data shared with Meta Platforms or other third parties as a result of using the system

Potential claimants do not need to prove their information was shared. Eligibility is generally determined by portal use during the covered timeframe.
 

How to File a Claim

Class members can typically submit a claim form online or by mail following the instructions outlined in official settlement notices. Eligible individuals may be asked to verify their identity and confirm their portal use within the designated period.

The settlement may offer two forms of relief:

1. Cash Payment: Compensation for privacy violations and potential data misuse.
2. Credit Monitoring or Data Protection Services: Access to tools that help monitor and safeguard personal information against identity theft or unauthorized use.
    

Filing a claim ensures that affected patients receive the benefits available to them under the settlement. Individuals who believe their healthcare data was shared without consent can visit OnlyClassActions.com for updates, claim instructions, and legal assistance.
 

What This Case Means for Healthcare Privacy

The Margaret Mary Hospital Portal lawsuit underscores a growing national issue. Hospitals are under increasing scrutiny for their use of third-party tracking technologies that may expose patient data.
 

In recent years, dozens of health systems across the United States have faced class actions for embedding the Meta Pixel, Google Analytics, or other tracking scripts on patient-facing websites. These tools, while intended for marketing and performance insights, can inadvertently transmit sensitive details that qualify as protected health information under HIPAA.

The settlements mark a turning point for hospitals and health systems under growing scrutiny for how they handle patient data. They signal that digital convenience cannot come at the expense of patient confidentiality. As healthcare organizations expand their use of online portals and data analytics, regulators and patients alike are demanding stronger safeguards and transparency.

For patients, these cases serve as a reminder to read privacy notices carefully, use secure communication tools when possible and stay alert to how their personal information may be tracked or shared through hospital websites and apps.
 

The Broader Implications of the Meta Pixel Lawsuits

Healthcare providers increasingly rely on digital systems for patient engagement, scheduling, and telehealth. But as these systems expand, so does the risk of unauthorized data sharing. Regulators and privacy advocates have urged healthcare organizations to audit and limit their use of tracking technologies that could transmit sensitive information to third parties.
 

The Margaret Mary settlement adds to a growing list of similar cases, including actions against major hospital networks nationwide. Many of these cases allege violations not only of HIPAA but also of state consumer protection and wiretapping laws.
 

These cases reflect a broader trend toward holding healthcare institutions accountable for how they manage patient information online.
 

The Bottom Line

The Margaret Mary Hospital Portal lawsuit shows how hospitals’ use of web tracking technologies can lead to major privacy concerns. While the settlement provides limited compensation, it sets an important precedent for protecting patient data in an era where digital health tools and privacy laws continue to collide.