Mount Sinai Faces $5.26 Million Settlement Over MyChart Data Sharing With Facebook

Millions of patients who used Mount Sinai’s MyChart portal between October 2020 and October 2023 may now be eligible for compensation following a $5.26 million class-action settlement. The healthcare system was accused of improperly sharing sensitive user data with Facebook—a claim that has drawn national attention and renewed scrutiny around health data privacy in digital tools.

This significant legal action underscores a growing concern over how electronic medical record (EMR) platforms like MyChart handle user information. As more hospitals adopt online health portals, patients are questioning whether their digital interactions are truly private.

Who Is Eligible in the Mount Sinai Facebook Data Sharing Settlement?

Patients who logged into Mount Sinai’s MyChart platform between October 27, 2020, and October 27, 2023, are considered part of the class affected by the data-sharing allegations. Approximately 1.3 million individuals are eligible to file claims in the lawsuit, according to court filings.

The core allegation involves Mount Sinai’s use of a digital tracking tool—Meta Pixel—which allegedly shared personally identifiable health data with Facebook without user consent. While the health system has not admitted wrongdoing, it has agreed to a $5.26 million payout to settle the claims and avoid prolonged litigation.

Claimants must file by October 14, 2025, to be considered for compensation. The exact individual payout will depend on the total number of valid claims submitted.

What Is Meta Pixel and Why Does It Matter in This Case?

Meta Pixel is a piece of code embedded on websites to track user behavior and share that information with Facebook. It’s commonly used for marketing analytics—but its use on health platforms like MyChart has sparked serious concerns about potential HIPAA violations and patient privacy breaches.

In this case, plaintiffs argue that Mount Sinai failed to properly protect confidential health data, allowing Facebook to access user interactions on the MyChart portal. This could include sensitive details about doctor appointments, health conditions, and treatment histories.

The lawsuit is part of a wider wave of legal scrutiny involving hospitals and health systems accused of similar data-sharing practices. Other health networks like BJC HealthCare have also faced legal action, with BJC settling a similar case for $5.5 million.

Why It Matters for Digital Health Platforms

As more patients rely on portals like MyChart for communication, scheduling, and medical records, concerns about data privacy have grown louder. The Mount Sinai settlement is among the first large-scale legal outcomes aimed at addressing this issue.

Healthcare providers are now under pressure to reevaluate their use of third-party tracking technologies and ensure compliance with patient privacy regulations like HIPAA. Legal experts warn that additional lawsuits may follow as more users become aware of potential breaches.

This case also highlights the blurred lines between digital convenience and privacy trade-offs. While tools like Meta Pixel may offer marketing advantages, their misuse in healthcare environments can result in significant legal and reputational damage.

Next Steps for Affected Mount Sinai Patients

Those eligible under the settlement have two options:

• File a claim for compensation by October 14, 2025

• Opt out of the class action if they wish to pursue separate legal action

Claim forms and instructions will be made available through the official settlement administrator. Although the exact compensation per person has not been finalized, similar cases suggest the amount will vary based on the number of claims submitted.

Eligible patients are encouraged to act promptly to preserve their rights under the settlement. Legal observers expect the outcome to influence future litigation in the digital health space.

This settlement marks a turning point for patient privacy in the digital age—and serves as a reminder that healthcare providers must treat online data with the same care as in-person records.

For your information:

What is the Mount Sinai Facebook data sharing lawsuit about?
The lawsuit claims Mount Sinai shared MyChart user data with Facebook via Meta Pixel without patient consent, violating data privacy laws.

Who is eligible for the Mount Sinai settlement?
Anyone who used Mount Sinai’s MyChart portal between October 27, 2020, and October 27, 2023, is eligible to file a claim in the $5.26 million class-action settlement.

How much will patients receive from the settlement?
The exact payout is not yet determined. It depends on how many valid claims are submitted by the deadline.

What is the deadline to file a Mount Sinai MyChart claim?
The deadline to file a claim or opt out of the lawsuit is October 14, 2025.

Is Mount Sinai the only hospital system facing such lawsuits?
No. Other health systems like BJC HealthCare have faced similar legal challenges for allegedly sharing patient data through MyChart with third parties.

Why is Meta Pixel controversial in healthcare?
Meta Pixel tracks website behavior for marketing but may collect sensitive health data if improperly used in medical portals, raising HIPAA concerns.