Website Privacy Policy

Website Privacy Policy

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
PRIVACY POLICY
Effective as of April 29, 2011

Welcome to www.mhm.org (the “Site”) the website and online presence of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. of South Texas, Inc. (“Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.”, “MHM”, “we”, or “us”).  MHM respects the privacy of those who access and/or use the Site (“You”, “Your”, “User”, or collectively “Users”) and is committed to protecting the privacy of the personally identifiable information we collect from You as You access and/or use the Site via the internet, the world wide web, mobile networks, or any other communication methods now known or in the future developed.  Part of that commitment is complying with the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”).  The privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) set forth below covers personally identifiable information we collect from You as You access and/or use the Site via the internet, the world wide web, mobile networks, or any other communication methods now known or in the future developed only and does not supersede our HIPAA Privacy Practices.  For more information on HIPAA and our privacy practices, please review our HIPAA Privacy Practices.

THIS PRIVACY POLICY INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE THE TERMS OF USE OF THE SITE (THE “TERMS“)  AND IS INCORPORATED INTO AND IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS THEREIN.  YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE THROUGH THE SITE ARE SUBJECT AT ALL TIME TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY AND THE TERMS.  BY ACCESSING AND/OR USING THE SITE, YOU THEREBY ACCEPT THIS PRIVACY POLICY AND THE TERMS.

I. The Information That The Site Collects.

Automatically Collected Information.  When You access the Site, we may send one or more cookies to Your computer.  A cookie is a small text file containing a string of alphanumeric characters that a website stores on Your computer that Your browser provides to a website each time You access the website.  Use of cookies is very common on the Internet.  We use these cookies to identify prior Users and track usage of the Site.  We do not use cookies to personally identify Users of the Site.  You can remove these cookies and modify Your browser’s settings to accept all cookies, reject all cookies, or notify You when a cookie is sent.  Please review Your web browser’s “Help” file to learn the proper way to modify Your cookie settings.

In addition, like many websites, when You access the Site, we may automatically record certain information from Your system by using different types of other common Internet technology.  This automatically collected information may include Your Internet Protocol address (“IP Address”), a unique device or User ID, version of software installed, system type, the content and pages that You access on the Site, and the dates and times that You visit Site.

Personally Identifiable Information. MHM only collects personally identifiable information that is voluntarily provided to us by a User.

II. The Way We Use This Information.

Automatically Collected Information. MHM uses cookies and other automatically collected information to identify prior Users, to track usage of the Site, and for analytical purposes to help us improve the Site and our business in general.  We may on occasion provide this information to an Affiliate or third party to assist us in providing these functions.

Personally Identifiable Information.  The personally identifiable information that Users voluntarily provide to MHM may be used by MHM and our Affiliates for administrative purposes; for authentication purposes; to properly operate, maintain, and provide You with the features and functionality of the Site;  to customize and personalize features for You and otherwise enrich your experience when using the Site; to present You with promotions, advertisement, and opportunities we believe may be of interest to You;  to enable our Affiliates to assist us in operating, maintaining, and providing our Services and products to You; to enable us to carry out our obligations arising from any contracts/subscriptions entered into with You; to notify You about changes to the Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service, Site, or Site (if we deem it appropriate); to investigate and help prevent potentially unlawful activity or activities that threaten the integrity of the Site, MHM Content, or MHM Technology;  to investigate allegations of fraud or violations of the Terms; to enforce or apply our rights under the Terms; and/or to protect the rights, property, or safety of any of our Users or others; to improve the quality and design of the Site and to create new features, promotions, functionality, and services by storing, tracking, and analyzing your preferences and trends.[III1]

Security of Information.  MHM maintains our systems in accordance with commercially reasonable industry standards to preserve the integrity and security of Your personally identifiable information.  We cannot, however, ensure or warrant the security of any information You Transmit through the Site, and You do so at Your own risk.  Once we receive Your transmission of information, we make commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the security of our systems.  However, please note that this is not a guarantee that such information may not be accessed, disclosed, altered, or destroyed by breach of any of our physical, technical, or managerial safeguards.   “Perfect security” does not exist on the Internet, and You use the Site at Your own risk.

Children.  THIS SITE IS NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN.  IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, THEN YOU MAY NOT ACCESS OR USE THE SITE AT ANY TIME OR IN ANY MANNER.  BY USING THE SITE, YOU REPRESENT THAT YOU ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY SUSPENDED OR REMOVED FROM THE SITE.

PROTECTING THE PRIVACY OF YOUNG CHILDREN IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT.  FOR THAT REASON, MHM DOES NOT KNOWINGLY COLLECT OR MAINTAIN PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION FROM PERSONS UNDER 13 YEARS-OF-AGE.  IF MHM LEARNS THAT PERSONALLY-IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION OF PERSONS LESS THAN 13-YEARS-OF-AGE HAS BEEN COLLECTED ON OR THROUGH THE SITE, THEN WE WILL TAKE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO DELETE THIS INFORMATION.

IF YOU ARE THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF A CHILD UNDER 13 WHO HAS PROVIDED US WITH PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION, THEN PLEASE EMAIL US TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION DELETED IMMEDIATELY.

The following are some resources that may help parents and legal guardians monitor and limit children’s access to certain types of material on the internet. While MHM does not endorse these products, we provide information about them as a public service.

Links to Third Party Sites.  The Site may include links or references to other websites or services (“Linked Sites”).  Linked Sites are provided for Your convenience and information only.  Please be aware that MHM is not responsible for the privacy practices of such sites.  We encourage You to be aware of when You leave the Site and to read the privacy statements of each and every website that collects personally identifiable information.  This Privacy Policy applies solely to information collected by MHM through the Site.

Events Outside of Ordinary Business Practices.  IN CONNECTION WITH AN EVENT OUTSIDE OF MHM’ ORDINARY BUSINESS PRACTICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A SALE, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, CHANGE IN CONTROL, TRANSFER OF SUBSTANTIAL ASSETS, REORGANIZATION, OR LIQUIDATION, MHM RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TRANSFER, SELL, OR ASSIGN THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE COLLECTED FROM USERS.

MHM ALSO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISCLOSE USER INFORMATION IN THE GOOD-FAITH BELIEF THAT IT IS REQUIRED TO DO SO PURSUANT TO JUDICIAL OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL SUBPOENAS, WARRANTS, OR ORDERS, OR TO DISCLOSE SUCH DATA TO A GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTION THAT HAS ASSERTED ITS LAWFUL AUTHORITY TO OBTAIN THE INFORMATION.

MHM ALSO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISCLOSE USER INFORMATION THAT WE BELIEVE, IN GOOD FAITH, IS APPROPRIATE OR NECESSARY: TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST LIABILITY; TO PROTECT MHM FROM FRAUDULENT, ABUSIVE, OR UNLAWFUL USES; TO INVESTIGATE AND DEFEND OURSELVES AGAINST THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS OR ALLEGATIONS; TO ASSIST GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES; TO PROTECT THE SECURITY OR INTEGRITY OF THE SITE; OR TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS, PROPERTY, OR PERSONAL SAFETY OF MHM, OUR USERS, OR OTHERS.

VII. NON-U.S. USERS.  FOR USERS VISITING THE SITE FROM THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA OR OTHER NON-U.S. TERRITORIES, PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY DATA YOU VOLUNTARILY PROVIDED US WILL BE TRANSFERRED OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA OR SUCH OTHER NON-U.S. TERRITORY FOR USE BY MHM FOR ANY OF THE PURPOSES DESCRIBED HEREIN.

Change in Privacy Policy.  By using the Site, You are accepting the Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use.  MHM reserves the right, in our sole discretion, to modify, alter, or otherwise update this Privacy Policy at any time.  Such modifications shall be effective immediately upon posting.  You are responsible for regularly reviewing the Privacy Policy.  Your continued access to and/or use of the Site constitutes Your agreement to all such modifications.

Construction.  Any capitalized terms used in the Privacy Policy but not defined in the Privacy Policy shall have the meaning given to such term in the Terms of Use.  Additionally, when context requires, singular nouns and pronouns include the plural.

X. Contact Information.  Any comments, complaints, or requests for further information can be directed to:

Methodist Healthcare Ministries
Attn:  Privacy Officer
4507 Medical Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78229
Phone:  +1 (800) 959-6673
Fax: +1 (210) 614-7563