If you received a notice about the Northwell Health Pixel Tracking Settlement, you have three options before the deadlines pass: file a claim by April 20, 2026, opt out by March 23, 2026, or object to the settlement by March 23, 2026. Which option makes sense depends on whether you want compensation now, prefer to pursue your own legal action, or believe the settlement terms are inadequate. For most class members, filing a claim is the simplest path — Subclass 1 members can receive a $15.00 cash payment plus 12 months of privacy monitoring, while Subclass 2 members are eligible for the privacy monitoring subscription alone. The case, *Kaplan v. Northwell Health, Inc.* (Case No.
520763/2025), alleges that Northwell Health disclosed patients’ personally identifiable information to third parties through Meta Pixel and Google Analytics tracking technologies embedded on its website — all without patient consent. The lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings. If you were a Northwell patient or used their FollowMyHealth portal between January 2020 and late 2024, you may be part of this class. We also cover the final fairness hearing scheduled for April 21, 2026, and what happens if you do nothing at all.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Northwell Health Pixel Tracking Settlement and Who Qualifies?
- How Much Can You Get From the Northwell Pixel Settlement?
- How to File a Claim Before the April 20 Deadline
- Opting Out vs. Objecting — What Is the Difference?
- What Happens at the Final Fairness Hearing?
- Why Pixel Tracking Lawsuits Are Becoming More Common in Healthcare
- What Happens If You Do Nothing?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Northwell Health Pixel Tracking Settlement and Who Qualifies?
The settlement resolves allegations that northwell Health violated state and federal statutes by allowing tracking pixels — specifically Meta Pixel and Google Analytics — to collect and transmit patient data to third-party companies like Meta (Facebook’s parent company) and Google. When patients visited Northwell’s website, browsed health information, logged into the FollowMyHealth patient portal, or booked appointments online, these embedded trackers reportedly captured personally identifiable information and sent it to advertising platforms. Patients never consented to this data sharing. There are two distinct subclasses, and which one you fall into determines your potential payout.
Subclass 1 includes patients who logged into Northwell’s FollowMyHealth patient portal between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023, or who booked an appointment through Northwell’s website during that same period. Subclass 2 is broader — it covers anyone who was a Northwell patient between January 1, 2020 and July 25, 2024, but who is not already included in Subclass 1. For example, if you visited a Northwell facility in 2022 but never used their online portal or booked appointments through the website, you would likely fall into Subclass 2. The distinction matters because Subclass 1 members had more direct interaction with the website features where pixel tracking was most active. Portal logins and appointment bookings generate more granular data — potentially including health conditions searched, appointment types, and login credentials — than general patient records alone.
How Much Can You Get From the Northwell Pixel Settlement?
Subclass 1 members are eligible for a $15.00 cash payment plus a 12-month privacy monitoring subscription. Subclass 2 members are eligible for the 12-month privacy monitoring subscription only, with no cash component. The privacy monitoring service is designed to help you detect whether your personal information has been misused or exposed as a result of the tracking pixel data collection. The $15.00 figure may seem modest, but it reflects the reality of most pixel tracking settlements — these cases involve data exposure rather than direct financial theft, so individual damages are difficult to quantify. However, if you believe your damages exceed what the settlement offers, you have the option to opt out and pursue your own lawsuit.
Keep in mind that individual litigation is expensive, time-consuming, and not guaranteed to produce a better outcome. Most people who suffered no tangible financial loss from the tracking would have difficulty proving significant individual damages in a standalone case. One important limitation: you cannot file a claim in both subclasses. If you qualify for Subclass 1, that is the only claim you can submit. The settlement administrator will verify your eligibility based on Northwell’s records, so do not assume you can choose which subclass to file under — your classification is determined by whether you actually used the portal or booked appointments online during the relevant period.
How to File a Claim Before the April 20 Deadline
Filing a claim is the most common choice for class members who want to receive their share of the settlement without any further legal involvement. You can submit your claim online at nwpixelsettlement.com/form/claim/ or mail a paper claim form, postmarked no later than April 20, 2026. Online submissions must be completed by 11:59 p.m. ET on that date. For example, if you used the FollowMyHealth portal in 2021 to check lab results or schedule a follow-up visit, you would file a claim as a Subclass 1 member.
You will need to provide your name, contact information, and enough identifying details for the settlement administrator to verify your membership in the class. If you received a notice by mail or email, it likely contains a unique claim ID or reference number — have that ready when you file. If you run into issues with the online form or have questions about your eligibility, you can contact the settlement administratorsettlement administrator[contact via the official settlement website]. Do not wait until the last day to file. Website traffic tends to spike near deadlines, and technical issues could prevent you from submitting on time. A mailed paper form postmarked by April 20, 2026 is equally valid, so consider that as a backup.
Opting Out vs. Objecting — What Is the Difference?
Opting out and objecting are two fundamentally different actions, and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes class members make. Opting out (also called requesting exclusion) means you remove yourself from the settlement entirely. You get no payment, no privacy monitoring, and you retain the right to sue Northwell Health on your own. Objecting means you stay in the settlement class but formally tell the court you believe something about the deal is unfair — the amount is too low, the attorney fees are too high, or the terms are otherwise inadequate. Both deadlines fall on March 23, 2026. To opt out, you must mail a written exclusion request letter, postmarked no later than that date. There is no online opt-out option.
To object, you must file a written objection with the Clerk of the Court at the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings, located at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York. If you are represented by an attorney, you may file electronically. The tradeoff is straightforward. If you opt out, you are gambling that you can do better on your own — which is unlikely for most people unless you suffered specific, documentable harm from the pixel tracking. If you object, you stay in the class and still receive benefits if the settlement is approved, but your objection goes on record and the judge considers it before granting final approval. You cannot do both. If you opt out, you have no standing to object because you are no longer part of the settlement.
What Happens at the Final Fairness Hearing?
The final fairness hearing is scheduled for April 21, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ET at the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings. At this hearing, the judge will review the settlement terms, consider any objections filed by class members, and decide whether to grant final approval. If approved, the settlement administrator will begin processing claims and distributing payments. You do not need to attend the hearing to receive your settlement benefits — filing a valid claim is sufficient.
However, if you filed an objection, attending the hearing gives you the opportunity to present your concerns in person. Be aware that the judge may approve the settlement even if objections have been filed; objections are considered but do not automatically block approval. The court weighs whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate for the class as a whole. One warning: if the settlement is not approved, the case goes back to litigation, and there is no guarantee of a better outcome. Settlement rejections are rare but not unheard of, particularly in privacy cases where courts sometimes find the compensation inadequate relative to the scope of data exposure. If you are relying on the $15 payment or privacy monitoring, understand that final approval is not guaranteed until the judge rules.
Why Pixel Tracking Lawsuits Are Becoming More Common in Healthcare
The Northwell Health case is part of a growing wave of lawsuits against healthcare providers over website tracking technology. Hospitals and health systems across the country embedded Meta Pixel, Google Analytics, and similar tools on their websites to track marketing effectiveness — but these trackers often captured sensitive health information and transmitted it to tech companies. For healthcare providers specifically, this raises serious concerns under HIPAA and state privacy laws, because health-related browsing data can reveal conditions, treatments, and other protected information.
Northwell is not the only system to face this kind of litigation. Similar pixel tracking lawsuits have been filed against numerous hospital networks nationwide, and several have already reached settlements. If you are a patient of multiple healthcare systems, it is worth checking whether you are part of other pixel tracking class actions as well.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
If you take no action — do not file a claim, do not opt out, and do not object — you remain a member of the settlement class but receive nothing. You also give up your right to sue Northwell Health individually over the pixel tracking allegations. This is the worst outcome for most class members, because you forfeit both compensation and legal rights without gaining anything in return.
The claim filing process takes only a few minutes online. Given that the deadline is April 20, 2026, there is still time to act, but the opt-out and objection deadlines of March 23, 2026 arrive first. If you are considering either of those options, prioritize them now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am in Subclass 1 or Subclass 2?
If you logged into the FollowMyHealth patient portal or booked an appointment through Northwell’s website between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023, you are in Subclass 1. If you were a Northwell patient between January 1, 2020 and July 25, 2024 but did not use the portal or online booking, you are in Subclass 2.
Can I file a claim and also opt out of the settlement?
No. Opting out removes you from the settlement entirely, meaning you cannot receive any benefits. If you want the $15 payment or privacy monitoring, you must stay in the class and file a claim.
Is the $15 payment taxable income?
Settlement payments may be considered taxable income depending on your individual tax situation. The settlement administrator does not provide tax advice, so consult a tax professional if you are concerned about reporting requirements.
What if I miss the April 20, 2026 claim deadline?
Late claims are generally not accepted. If you miss the deadline, you will remain a class member — meaning you give up your right to sue individually — but you will not receive any payment or privacy monitoring benefits.
Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?
No. The claim process is designed for individuals to complete on their own, either online or by mailing a paper form. You only need legal representation if you choose to opt out and pursue a separate lawsuit, or if you want an attorney to file an objection on your behalf.
What does the privacy monitoring subscription include?
The settlement provides a 12-month privacy monitoring service designed to detect potential misuse of your personal information. Specific details about the monitoring provider and coverage are available on the official settlement website at nwpixelsettlement.com.
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