Privacy policy

This website (this “Site”) is operated by or on behalf of Allina Health System ("Allina Health," "we," "us," and "our"). This online Privacy Policy (this "Policy") describes our commitment to privacy and reflects the importance we place on earning and keeping your trust. 

If you are an Allina Health patient, please see our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Scope of this policy

This Policy applies to the information we collect from or about you through this Site. It does not apply to information we collect from you through other channels, such as over the phone or in our clinics.

Some of the information Allina Health collects through this Site may be "personal information" — information that identifies you personally, alone or in combination with other information available to us. Examples of personal information include (but are not limited to):

  1. contact data (such as your email address, phone number and physical address)
  2. demographic data (such as your gender, your date of birth and your ZIP code)
  3. insurance data (such as your insurance carrier and insurance plan)
  4. personal preference data (such as search filters)
  5. health and medical data (such as information you supply in response to health assessments, information about health and wellness providers you have visited and other information about those visits, and other health and medical information you choose to submit)
  6. registration data (such as your first name, last name, and password)
  7. credit card or debit card numbers and expiration dates if used so that you can register for events or other activities through this Site 

Other information we collect through this Site may be nonpersonally identifiable, such as your IP address and information collected by cookies.

Please note that to the extent you submit "protected health information" (as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) through this Site, such information is also governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices. To the extent there is a conflict between this Policy and our Notice of Privacy Practices, the stricter of the two applies.

This Policy may be supplemented or amended from time to time by additional privacy notices ("Privacy Notices"), provided at the time we collect your information. For example, certain pages of this Site may contain Privacy Notices providing more details about the information we collect on those particular pages, why we need that information, and choices you may have about the ways we use that information. In other cases, specific Privacy Notices may be required to comply with applicable law. 

Your consent

By using this Site, you are consenting to the collection, use, disclosure, and transfer of your information as described in this Policy (and any Privacy Notices that apply to you). If you do not consent to the collection, use, disclosure and transfer of your information as described in this Policy (and any Privacy Notices that apply to you), you may not use this Site. If you have questions about this Policy, or any Privacy Notice, please contact us using the information provided below.

Our terms and conditions of use

This Policy is part of the Terms and Conditions of Use that govern your use of this Site. A link to our Terms and Conditions of Use is provided at the bottom of each page of this Site.

Your choices

In general

We respect your right to make choices about the ways we collect, use, and disclose your information. This Policy describes some of your choices, such as your choice to opt out of receiving "cookies." We may ask you to indicate your choices at the time and on the page where you provide your information.

Do-Not-Track (DNT) mechanisms

Your browser may deliver a Do-Not-Track (DNT) signal to this Site. Because of the changing state of technology and conflicting views within the technology industry regarding the meaning of DNT signals, we currently do not make any guarantee that we will honor DNT signals.

Previously expressed preferences

You may change previously expressed preferences regarding how we use your information. You may be able to change preferences through your account. Otherwise, please contact us using the information provided below. You may opt out of promotional emails by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any promotional email we send you.

Toll-free and Marketing Communications SMS Terms of Use for Allina Health

Allina Health provides an SMS text messaging service using toll-free numbers and a marketing short code to send and receive SMS text messages for SMS notifications and conversational messages. The toll-free numbers Allina uses to send SMS messages are:

  • 1-800-535-3103
  • 1-888-790-6112
  • 74613

How to Opt-in: To receive information via SMS, users may verbally opt-in at an Allina Health location (either via phone or in person), via webform, via hard copy form, or by calling 612-262-5477. Additionally, to receive marketing communication via SMS, users may text JOIN to 74613. When you opt-in to the marketing communication service via the JOIN keyword to 74613, we will send you a message to confirm your signup. 

How to Opt-out:  To opt-out of our SMS service, text STOP to the toll-free number or short code from which you have received an SMS message. You will be unsubscribed immediately from receiving messages from that specific number going forward unless you opt-in to that number again. You will receive an SMS confirming that you have been unsubscribed and you will not receive any additional messages unless you opt-in to the service with a subsequent request.

If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending messages to you again.

How to get help or support: To get help, call Allina Health’s communications preferences help team at 612-262-5477.

You can also send the keyword HELP to 74613 and the system will respond with instructions on how to use our service as well as how to unsubscribe.
Participating carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Boost Mobile, MetroPCS, Virgin Mobile, Alaska Communications Systems (ACS), Appalachian Wireless (EKN), Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular One of East Central, IL (ECIT), Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania, Cricket, Coral Wireless (Mobi PCS), COX, Cross, Element Mobile (Flat Wireless), Epic Touch (Elkhart Telephone), GCI, Golden State, Hawkeye (Chat Mobility), Hawkeye (NW Missouri), Illinois Valley Cellular, Inland Cellular, iWireless (Iowa Wireless), Keystone Wireless (Immix Wireless/PC Man), Mosaic (Consolidated or CTC Telecom), Nex-Tech Wireless, NTelos, Panhandle Communications, Pioneer, Plateau (Texas RSA 3 Ltd), Revol, RINA, Simmetry (TMP Corporation), Thumb Cellular, Union Wireless, United Wireless, Viaero Wireless, and West Central (WCC or 5 Star Wireless).

T-Mobile is not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Fees: Our service never charges consumers to send or receive text messages. However, message and data rates may apply, depending on the terms of your individual cell service plan.

For all questions about the services provided by the short code, you can call 1-888-425-5462 or 612-262-5477.

If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy

DISALLOWED CONTENT: Allina Health is compliant with all Carrier rules and will not send disallowed content over this service. Only content allowed by the verified toll-free SMS use case(s) that have been approved by the carriers will be transmitted.

This policy may change

Allina Health reserves the right to update or modify this Policy and any Privacy Notice, at any time and without prior notice, by posting the revised version of the Policy or Privacy Notice on this Site. These changes will only apply to the information we collect after we have posted the revised Policy or Privacy Notice on this Site.

Your use of this Site following any such change constitutes your agreement that all information collected from or about you after the revised Policy is posted will be subject to the terms of the revised Policy. You may access the current version of this Policy at any time by clicking on the link marked "Privacy" at the bottom of each page of the public areas of this Site.

Information we collect

Information you manually provide

Allina Health collects the information you manually provide (using your keyboard, mouse, or touchpad) when you use this Site. For example, we collect the information you provide when you create an account, make a purchase, communicate with us, schedule an appointment, sign up for an event, or otherwise interact with this Site.  Some of the information you manually provide may be personal information, such as your name and contact information.

Information from your browser or device

Allina Health collects information that is sent to us automatically by your web browser or mobile device. This information typically includes:

  1. your IP address
  2. browser type
  3. referring/exit pages
  4. operating system type and version
  5. a date/time stamp
  6. estimated geographic location
  7. other information associated with the interaction of your browser and this Site (collectively referred to as "Traffic Data") 

The information we receive may depend on your browser or device settings. Traffic Data is stored in temporary log files that reside on our web servers.

Traffic Data is not, in and of itself, personally identifiable. Generally, we use Traffic Data in the aggregate to help us improve this Site and make it more compatible with the technology used by our visitors. However, we may combine Traffic Data with other information in an attempt to identify you or we may combine it with information that does identify you. We may also review our log files for security purposes—for example, to detect intrusions into our network—and we might share our log files with the appropriate investigative authorities who could use that information to trace and identify you.

Information collected by cookies and other technologies

We use "cookies" and other technologies to collect information and support certain features of this Site. For example, we may use these technologies to:

  • collect information about the ways visitors use this Site—which pages they visit, which links they use, and how long they stay on each page 
  • support the features and functionality of this Site—for example, to save you the trouble of reentering information already in our database or to prompt the settings you established on previous visits 
  • personalize your experience when you use this Site
  • improve our marketing efforts, including through use of targeted advertising

The information we collect using cookies and similar technologies is not, in and of itself, personally identifiable, but we may link it to personal information that you provide. If you do not wish to receive cookies, you may set your browser to reject cookies or to alert you when a cookie is placed on your computer. Although you are not required to accept cookies when you visit this Site, you may be unable to use all of the functionality of this Site if your browser rejects our cookies. 

Information about third-party cookies

In addition to the cookies Allina Health delivers to your computer or mobile device through this Site, certain third parties may deliver cookies to you for a variety of reasons. For example, we use Google Analytics, a web analytics tool that helps us understand how visitors engage with our Sites. See information from Google Analytics about safeguarding your data.

Other third parties may deliver cookies to your computer or mobile device for the purpose of tracking your online behaviors over time and across non-affiliated websites and/or delivering targeted advertisements either on this Site or on other websites.

You have choices about the collection of information by third parties on our Sites. For example, if you don’t want information about your visit to this Site sent to Google Analytics, you may download an Opt-out Browser Add-on at tools.google.com. Please note that the Add-on does not prevent information from being sent to Allina Health.

To opt out of having interest-based information collected by certain entities during your visits to this site or other websites, go to aboutads.info/choices. This industry-developed website contains mechanisms for choosing whether each listed entity may collect and use data for online behavioral advertising purposes. It may be that some of the third parties that collect interest-based information on this site do not participate in the industry-developed opt-out website, in which case the best way to avoid third-party tracking of your online behaviors may be through your browser settings and deletion of cookies.

How we use your information

We generally reserve the right to disclose information you submit to us through this Site as set forth below. Please note, however, that disclosure of protected health information submitted through this Site is governed exclusively by our Notice of Privacy Practices.

With third–party vendors

Allina Health shares information collected through this Site with third-party vendors who act for us or on our behalf. For example, we may use third-party vendors to design and operate this Site; to conduct surveys; and to help us with our promotional efforts. These third-party vendors may need information about you to perform their functions, but they are contractually obligated to use your information only to perform contracted-for services.

With other users of this site

You may be able to submit User-Generated Content on or through this Site. In this Policy, "User-Generated Content" or "UGC" refers to content that you post using the social networking tools we make available to you and that does not constitute "Feedback" (as that term is defined in our Terms and Conditions of Use. Any personal information contained in UGC can be read, collected, or used by others. In addition, we may use UGC you submit for advertising campaigns and other promotions. We may or may not use your name in connection with such use, and we may or may not seek your consent before using the content for such purposes. Therefore, you should have no expectation of privacy with respect to UGC you submit on or through this Site.

With our affiliates

As permitted by applicable law, Allina Health may share the information collected through this Site with other entities within the Allina Health corporate structure, such as the Allina Health Foundation. For example, we may share information collected through this Site with our nonprofit foundations so that they contact you about making a charitable donation. These affiliate companies are permitted to use your information for their own marketing purposes and in a manner otherwise consistent with this Policy. However, before sharing your information in this fashion, we may offer you the opportunity to "opt out" or "opt in," as required by applicable law.

In aggregate or de-identified form

We use information collected through this Site to create a compiled, aggregate view of usage patterns. We may share aggregate information with third parties so we and they can better understand our user base. We may also share with third parties information about how particular individuals use this Site, but only on a de-identified basis ("Individualized Data"). Individualized Data is not personally identifiable, but it does reflect the usage patterns of a particular Site user, as opposed to Site users collectively. We may provide basic demographic information (gender and age) in conjunction with providing Individualized Data. Third parties may use this information for analytical purposes and to market their own products and services, and for such other purposes as we may authorize. We will take reasonable efforts to ensure that third parties cannot and do not re-identify Individualized Data, including by contractually prohibiting them from doing so.  

As part of a business transfer

Your information may be transferred to successor organization if, for example, we transfer the ownership or operation of this Site to another organization, if we merge with or are acquired by another organization, or if we liquidate our assets (such as our user database) and sell them individually. If such a transfer occurs, the successor organization’s use of your information will still be subject to this Policy and the privacy preferences you have expressed to us.

To comply with laws and protect our rights and the rights of others

We may disclose your information when we, in good faith, believe disclosure is appropriate to comply with the law, a court order or a subpoena. We may also disclose your information to prevent or investigate a possible crime, such as fraud or identity theft; to protect the security of this Site; to enforce or apply our online Terms and Conditions of Use or other agreements; or to protect our own rights or property or the rights, property or safety of our users or others.

As described in a privacy notice or click-through agreement

We reserve the right to disclose your information as described in any Privacy Notice posted on a page of this Site where you provide that information. By providing your information on that page you will be consenting to the disclosure of your information as described in that Privacy Notice. We also reserve the right to disclose your information as described in any click–through agreement to which you have agreed.

How we protect your information

Allina Health takes reasonable precautions to provide a level of security appropriate to the sensitivity of the information we collect. Although we use reasonable measures to help protect your information against unauthorized use or disclosure, we cannot guarantee the security of information provided over the Internet or stored in our databases and will not be responsible for breaches of security beyond our reasonable control.

A note about children's privacy

You must be at least 13 years old to have our permission to use this Site. We do not knowingly collect personal information from users under 13 years of age. If you are under the age of 13, you can use this service only in conjunction with your parent's or guardian's permission.

Links to other websites

This Policy applies only to this Site. Allina Health and its affiliates operate many different websites for different purposes. If you visit another Allina Health website, please take a moment to review the privacy policy posted on that site to learn what information may be collected through that site and how it is processed.

This Site may also contain links to websites that are not operated by Allina Health or its affiliates. These links are provided for your reference and convenience only and do not imply any endorsement of the products sold or information provided through these websites, nor any association with their operators. Allina Health does not control these websites and is not responsible for their data practices. Any information you provide to third parties on their websites is covered under their privacy and data collection policies and is not covered by this Policy. We urge you to review the privacy policy posted on any site you visit before using the site or providing any personal information. 

Track My Health and Personal Health Data

With your permission the Allina Health account can connect to Apple HealthKit or Google Fit to receive health information (including but not limited to blood pressure, pulse, steps, and glucose) and to share that information with your healthcare providers via the Track My Health feature of the Epic patient record. This information is not shared with third parties, and is only accessible to your providers.  The Allina Health account does not share your health information with HealthKit or with other HealthKit-enabled software, nor with Google Fit or other Google Health Connect related software.

 

Retention of personal information and requests to correct or delete it

In general, Allina Health reserves the right (but does not assume the obligation) to retain the information collected on this Site as long as necessary to provide the services, products and information you request or as permitted by applicable law.

If you would like to review, correct, and/or update the personal information you have provided to us through this Site, you may be able to do so through your account. Otherwise, please contact us using the information provided below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable time or within the time set out by applicable law. When appropriate, or as required by applicable law, we will correct, amend or delete your personal information. We reserve the right to limit or deny access to personal information where providing such access is unreasonably burdensome or expensive under the circumstances, or as otherwise permitted by applicable law.

This Site is hosted on servers located in the United States.

Allina Health is a U.S. corporation. The servers that support this Site are located in the United States. While it is in our possession, your information will generally be stored in Allina Health databases or databases maintained by our third-party service providers on servers and data storage devices located in the United States. U.S. data protection laws may not provide as much protection as the data protection laws in force in some other countries. However, we will process your information in accordance with this Policy no matter where our data is stored. If you are located in a country outside the United States, by using this Site you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.

Governing law

This Policy shall be governed under the laws of the State of Minnesota United States of America without regard to its conflicts of law provisions.

Questions about this Policy or Allina Health's data practices

If you have questions or concerns about this Policy, any Privacy Notice, or Allina Health's data practices, please contact us by email. You may also contact us at:

Allinahealth.org
Allina Health Web and Interactive Marketing
Mail Route 10103
2925 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407-1321

Source: Legal Services, Allina Health
Reviewed By: Allina Health Legal Counsel
First Published: 05/01/2000
Last Reviewed: 05/15/2019