Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of visitors to our website. This website privacy statement ("Privacy Statement") will tell you what information we collect on our website and how it is used. Please contact us at webmaster@challiance.org if you have questions about this.
Your Consent
By using our website, and other electronic communications with CHA, you consent to the collection, use and sharing of information as described in this Privacy Statement.
Cookies, Tracking and Internet-based Advertising
CHA works with third-party products or services ("Service Providers") to track and analyze visitor activity on our website. This lets us understand web usage patterns, measure the effectiveness of our advertising efforts, and improve our digital marketing campaigns.
This website uses "cookies'' and related technologies to track website usage. These small data files are stored and retrieved from your computer or mobile device through your web browser. CHA is currently using cookies from the following Service Providers:
- Google - to better understand our website visitors and usage patterns. (To learn more about how Google uses data when you visit our website, go to "How Google uses data when you use our partners' sites or apps.")
- Microsoft ASP.NET - session data relevant to the server's performance
- Constant Contact - to track the effectiveness of our email marketing
- XSRF - security cookie that prevents malicious attacks through the website
- AdRoll - used to identify the visitor across visits and devices
Most internet browsers accept cookies by default, but you can modify your browser to block or restrict cookies if you do not want your web browsing activity tracked. Please visit (i) the FTC or (ii) the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out page, which allows users to opt out from receiving interest-based advertising.
CHA is not responsible for the effectiveness or compliance of third party opt-out mechanisms or programs. If you delete your cookies or upgrade your browser after having opted out, you will need to opt out again. Further, if you use multiple browsers or devices you will need to opt out on each browser or device. You can access the information on this website without enabling cookies in your browser, but disabling cookies may result in a diminished ability to take advantage of the services and related informational content on the website.
This website also uses Google’s reCAPTCHA service to protect against spam and other automated abuse by identifying activity from an automated program such as a "bot." reCAPTCHA analyzes the behavior of website visitors as soon as the website visit begins. The data collected during this analysis is sent to Google’s servers. The use of reCAPTCHA and the treatment of any information collected through the service, such as IP address, date, time, language, screen size and resolution, and mouse movements while on the page, are subject to Google’s applicable privacy policy and terms of use, as noted in the boxes where you are asked to confirm that "I’m not a robot" when submitting a form.
How CHA Uses Tracking Information
We may use your information to:
- Understand web usage patterns, in aggregate
- Help us improve the services we offer
- Personalize your experience and inform you about the treatments/services in which you have indicated an interest
- Tailor digital advertisements on third-party websites based on your interactions on our website
- Improve our website offerings and send you information and updates
- Respond to your questions and requests and improve customer service
- Administer a promotion, survey or other site feature
- Communicate changes to our Privacy Statement or terms of use
In some cases, our Service Providers may have access to individual website user activity. This may include tracking pages you visit, access times, visit duration, how you arrived at our website, what browser you use, and your IP address (which identifies your device when connected to the internet) and other data. This information may be unique to you.
Online Forms
CHA uses encrypted, HIPAA-compliant forms on our website. If you complete any forms on our website, we may ask for your name, email address, phone/text number(s) or your demographics. By submitting your personal information, you grant CHA the right to transmit, monitor, retrieve, store and use your information in connection with the operation of the website or to improve your care at CHA.
If you submit any personal information to CHA about other people, you represent you have the authority to do so and permit us to use the information in accordance with this Privacy Statement.
MyCHArt
Patients can create a CHA MyCHArt account. This is a secure way to manage your health. Features include reviewing test results, managing appointments, messaging your doctor, renewing your prescriptions and paying your bills.
MyCHArt is hosted separately from the public CHA website and uses enhanced security to ensure your safety. Before creating an account, please review the MyChart Terms and Conditions.
"Protected health information" as defined under the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act and related regulations (collectively referred to as "HIPAA"), is separate and subject to the CHA Notice of Privacy Practices.
Online Surveys
Occasionally we may request feedback on this website to better understand how we can improve the information we present and how we present it. These surveys do not ask questions that could personally identify you. We may ask for contact information to follow-up, but you can decline to provide that information. Information that you provide in a survey may be shared with CHA employees or third parties to aggregate the data.
Links to External Websites
This online Privacy Statement applies only to this website. This website contains links to other websites, within and outside of CHA. Please be aware that this Privacy Statement does not apply to those websites. We encourage you to read the Privacy Statements on any other websites before providing them with personal information.
Website Data Security
CHA is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information you provide to us via this website to make sure it remains as secure as possible. However, CHA cannot guarantee the security of any information you transmit to us through online applications, such as forms or email. You do so at your own risk. Depending on the nature of the inquiry, your communication could be discarded or archived. If you wish, you can contact us instead by telephone at the numbers provided throughout our website.
How CHA Communicates with Patients Using Emails and Texts
CHA may use email and text messages to communicate with you about your care. By providing us with an email address and/or a mobile/text number, you expressly consent to enrolling in CHA’s patient notification program and consent to receive messages about your care and CHA services. The frequency and number of these patient notifications will depend on your upcoming appointments and other care needs. For example, you might receive emails/texts about:
- Appointment reminders, including telehealth appointments
- Messages advising you of health care needs, such as preventive care visits, scheduling appointments you need, new information related to your health, etc.
- Instructions in advance of an inpatient procedure, both before and after you have been admitted, or in advance of an outpatient appointment or procedure
- Instructions for follow-up care after an inpatient procedure, both before and after you have been discharged
- Instructions for follow-up care after an outpatient procedure
- Notification regarding availability of laboratory tests or other tests ordered by your physician
- Requests to complete electronic forms related to your care
- Requests for feedback about the care you received
- Other information regarding your care
CHA will not charge you for any email/text messages sent to you. However, your mobile carrier may apply message and data rates to these communications, depending on the terms of your plan. You are solely responsible for any charges related to your mobile plan.
CHA contracts with more than one third party vendor to provide these text/email communications, which means you may receive text messages from different numbers. If you wish to opt out of receiving CHA notifications from a particular third party vendor, you can text STOP in reply to a text notification from that number. If you wish to opt out of receiving CHA notifications by email, follow the instructions to unsubscribe. After you submit a request to unsubscribe from certain communications from a particular number, you may receive a followup message to confirm your request to opt out/unsubscribe. No additional text alerts or emails will be sent to you from that vendor unless you reactivate enrollment. To opt out of CHA patient notifications from a different vendor, you will need to opt-out separately.
The CHA patient notification system is offered on an "as is" basis and: (1) may not be available in all areas at all times; and (2) may not continue to work in the event of product, software, coverage or other service changes made by your wireless carrier. CHA may change or discontinue any of its email/text system programs without notice or liability to you. CHA and its officers, directors and employees are not responsible and shall not be liable for any losses or injuries of any kind resulting, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with your participation in the CHA patient notification program or from technical failures or delays of any kind. CHA may end or amend its patient notification program at any time in its sole discretion.
Newsletter/Press Release/Email Subscription
If you wish to subscribe to our newsletters and publications, we collect and store any information you share with us, such as first and last name, email address, and information about how you engage with our content. We may also ask for additional information to send you content relevant to your interests. If you want to unsubscribe from our email newsletters, please use the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every e-mail communication.
If you receive an email that looks like it is from CHA and asks for your personal information, do not respond. This may be a scam or "Phishing" email intended to steal your information. CHA will never request your password, user name, credit card information or related personal information through email.
Third-Party Vendors/ Content Providers
CHA shares information with third parties, including as required by law, to improve your web experience, or to provide the services requested. CHA engages reputable third-party vendors to help us manage this website, provide content and information, and interact better with our patients and visitors.
Transfer in the Event of Sale or Change of Control
If the ownership of our business changes, or we need to transfer assets relating to this website to a third party, we may transfer your personal information to the new owner. Your information would remain subject to the promises made in the applicable Website Privacy Statement unless you specify otherwise.
Changes to This Statement
CHA has the right to change or update this Privacy Statement from time to time without notice, so please review it periodically to keep informed of any changes.
Last Revised
January 11, 2024