The Northwell Health pixel tracking settlement is open for claims right now, with a deadline of April 20, 2026 to file. If you were a Northwell Health patient between January 1, 2020 and July 25, 2024, or used the FollowMyHealth patient portal or booked appointments through the Northwell website during that window, you may be entitled to a cash payment of $15.00 and 12 months of privacy monitoring — or privacy monitoring alone, depending on which subclass you fall into. The case, *Eryn Kaplan, Michael Zurl, Kathyann McClendon v.
Northwell Health, Inc.* (Case No. 520763/2025), has already received preliminary approval in New York State Supreme Court, Kings County. We also cover the opt-out process, what happens at the final fairness hearing scheduled for April 21, 2026, and what to realistically expect regarding when payments will arrive.
Table of Contents
- Who Is Eligible for the Northwell Health Pixel Tracking Settlement?
- What Did Northwell Health Actually Do With Patient Data?
- Key Deadlines That Could Affect Your Payout
- How to File Your Claim Before the April 2026 Deadline
- Should You Opt Out or Object to the Settlement?
- What Does the Privacy Monitoring Subscription Actually Cover?
- What Happens After Final Approval and What It Means Going Forward
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Eligible for the Northwell Health Pixel Tracking Settlement?
Eligibility hinges on whether you were a northwell Health patient during the relevant time period and how you interacted with their digital properties. The settlement defines two subclasses. Subclass 1 covers individuals who logged into Northwell’s FollowMyHealth patient portal between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023, or who booked an appointment through the Northwell website during the same period. Subclass 2 includes all other Northwell Health patients between January 1, 2020 and July 25, 2024, who do not fall into Subclass 1.
The distinction matters because the benefits differ. A patient who used the FollowMyHealth portal to check lab results in 2021, for example, would fall into Subclass 1 and be eligible for both the $15.00 cash payment and 12 months of privacy monitoring. A patient who only visited Northwell facilities in person and never interacted with the portal or website booking system — but was still a patient during the covered period — would fall into Subclass 2 and receive only the privacy monitoring subscription. If you are unsure whether you used the portal or booked online, check your email history for any FollowMyHealth login confirmations or appointment booking receipts from Northwell. The settlement website at [nwpixelsettlement.com](https://www.nwpixelsettlement.com/) also has resources to help determine your eligibility.
What Did Northwell Health Actually Do With Patient Data?
The core allegation is that Northwell Health embedded third-party tracking technologies — specifically Meta Pixel and Google Analytics — on its website and patient portal in a way that transmitted patients’ personally identifiable information to third parties without consent. This is not a theoretical data exposure. The tracking tools were configured so that when a patient logged into the portal, scheduled an appointment, or browsed health-related pages, information about those activities was sent to companies like Meta and Google. This matters because the data in question was not just browsing behavior on a retail site.
It potentially included protected health information — the kinds of pages a patient visited, appointment types, and other details that could reveal medical conditions or treatment history. The plaintiffs argue this violated both state and federal statutes governing patient privacy. However, if you only visited the Northwell Health website without logging in or booking an appointment, and you were not otherwise a Northwell patient during the covered period, you likely do not qualify. The settlement is specifically tied to patient status, not general website visitors. This is an important limitation — unlike some data breach settlements that cover anyone whose information was exposed, this one requires that you had a patient relationship with Northwell during the defined timeframe.
Key Deadlines That Could Affect Your Payout
There are three dates you cannot afford to miss. The first is March 23, 2026, which is the deadline to file an objection to the settlement terms or to opt out of the settlement entirely. If you do nothing by that date, you remain in the class and are bound by the settlement’s terms. The second is April 20, 2026 — the deadline to submit your claim. No claim filed means no payment, even if you are eligible. The third is the final fairness hearing on April 21, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
ET, held at the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Kings County Courthouse, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York. For context on timing, consider that many class action settlements see a significant portion of claims filed in the final week before the deadline. If you wait until mid-April, you risk running into technical issues with the online form or postal delays if mailing your claim. Filing early — even today — takes only a few minutes and eliminates that risk entirely. After the final fairness hearing, assuming the court grants final approval, payments are expected to begin around May 2026. That said, if significant objections are raised or the hearing is continued, that timeline could shift. Final approval is not guaranteed until the judge rules.
How to File Your Claim Before the April 2026 Deadline
You have two options for filing: online or by mail. The online claim form is available at [nwpixelsettlement.com/form/claim/fill](https://www.nwpixelsettlement.com/form/claim/fill/). The process requires basic identifying information to verify your eligibility. Filing online is straightforward and gives you an immediate confirmation that your claim was received. If you prefer to submit by mail, you can download the claim form from the official settlement website and send it via traditional mail. The tradeoff here is speed versus paper trail.
Online filing is faster and provides instant confirmation, but some claimants prefer having a physical record of their submission. If you mail your claim, consider using certified mail or a tracking service so you have proof it was sent before the April 20, 2026 deadline. Postmark dates typically matter for deadline compliance, but do not cut it close. One practical note: the $15.00 payment for Subclass 1 members is described as subject to pro rata distribution. This means the actual amount could be less than $15.00 if the total approved claims exceed the settlement fund, or slightly more if fewer people file than expected. Filing early does not give you priority over late filers — all valid claims submitted by the deadline are treated equally.
Should You Opt Out or Object to the Settlement?
The March 23, 2026 deadline applies to both objections and opt-outs, and these are two very different actions. Opting out means you exclude yourself from the settlement entirely — you receive no payment and no privacy monitoring, but you preserve your right to file your own individual lawsuit against Northwell Health. Objecting means you stay in the settlement class but formally tell the court you disagree with some aspect of the terms, such as the payment amount or the scope of the release. For most class members, opting out is not practical. Filing an individual lawsuit over pixel tracking would require hiring an attorney and proving individual damages, which in many cases would cost far more than any realistic recovery.
The $15.00 payment and privacy monitoring are modest, but they come with no effort beyond filing a claim form. However, if you believe you suffered significant, documentable harm from the data exposure — for instance, if you can trace identity theft or insurance discrimination directly to information shared via the tracking pixels — consulting with a privacy attorney about whether to opt out may be worthwhile. Be aware that if you neither opt out nor file a claim, you are still bound by the settlement’s release of claims. You give up your right to sue Northwell over this issue and receive nothing in return. This is the worst outcome and the most common mistake people make with class action settlements.
What Does the Privacy Monitoring Subscription Actually Cover?
Both Subclass 1 and Subclass 2 members are eligible for 12 months of privacy monitoring as part of the settlement. This type of service typically scans for unauthorized use of your personal information across data broker sites, the dark web, and public records databases. It is similar to credit monitoring but focused specifically on privacy exposure rather than just financial accounts.
The practical value of this benefit depends on your existing coverage. If you already have identity theft protection through your bank, employer, or a previous data breach settlement, the additional monitoring may be redundant. If you have no monitoring in place, 12 months of coverage at no cost is genuinely useful — these services typically run $10 to $25 per month at retail pricing. Check the settlement website’s FAQ at [nwpixelsettlement.com/faq](https://www.nwpixelsettlement.com/faq/) for details on the specific provider and what the monitoring includes.
What Happens After Final Approval and What It Means Going Forward
If the court grants final approval at the April 21, 2026 hearing, the settlement administrator will begin processing claims and distributing payments. Based on the current timeline, Subclass 1 members can expect their $15.00 payments around May 2026, though this could be delayed if there are appeals or administrative complications. Privacy monitoring enrollment details would be sent separately.
This case is part of a broader wave of healthcare pixel tracking lawsuits that have emerged over the past few years. Hospitals and health systems across the country installed Meta Pixel and similar tools on their websites, often without fully understanding that patient interactions were being transmitted to advertising platforms. For Northwell patients, this settlement represents a resolution — but it is also a reminder to review the privacy policies and tracking disclosures on any healthcare portal you use regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am in Subclass 1 or Subclass 2?
Subclass 1 includes anyone who logged into Northwell’s FollowMyHealth patient portal or booked an appointment through the Northwell website between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023. If you were a Northwell patient during the broader January 2020 to July 2024 period but did not use the portal or online booking, you fall into Subclass 2.
How much money will I actually receive?
Subclass 1 members are eligible for $15.00, though the actual amount may vary based on pro rata distribution if the number of claims exceeds expectations. Subclass 2 members receive privacy monitoring only, with no cash payment.
What is the deadline to file a claim?
The claim submission deadline is April 20, 2026. Claims can be filed online at [nwpixelsettlement.com/form/claim/fill](https://www.nwpixelsettlement.com/form/claim/fill/) or submitted by mail.
What happens if I do nothing?
If you do not file a claim and do not opt out, you receive no payment and no privacy monitoring, but you still give up your right to sue Northwell Health over the pixel tracking issue. Filing a claim is the only way to receive benefits.
Can I still sue Northwell Health on my own?
Only if you opt out of the settlement by March 23, 2026. If you remain in the class, you release your claims against Northwell related to the pixel tracking conduct described in the lawsuit.
When will payments be sent out?
Payments are expected around May 2026, assuming the court grants final approval at the April 21, 2026 hearing. Delays are possible if objections are raised or appeals are filed.
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