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Southern Illinois Healthcare Digital Privacy Policy

Effective Date:3/26/2026

Southern Illinois Healthcare respects your right to privacy. As used here, “Southern Illinois Healthcare”, “we”, “us,” or “our” means Southern Illinois Healthcare and, where appropriate, its corporate affiliates, including but not limited to Southern Illinois Medical Services, NFP, Harrisburg Medical Center, Inc., Southern Illinois Healthcare Enterprises, INC., Health Services of Southern Illinois, Inc, and Southern Illinois Specialty Services, NFP.

This Digital Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and disclose information about you when you access or use our website located at www.sih.net (the “Website”), our mobile applications (the “Apps”), and other digital products, tools, and services we offer (together, the “Services”).

This Digital Privacy Policy describes our information practices with respect to your use of the Services. It is in addition to, and does not replace, our Notice of Privacy Practices (“NPP”), which explains how we use and disclose protected health information (“PHI”) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”). Information we collect through the Services (including online identifiers such as IP address and device identifiers) may be PHI depending on whether it can be used to identify you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or other health condition, the provision of healthcare to you, or payment for healthcare, and whether it is created, received, maintained, or transmitted by us in our capacity as a HIPAA covered entity (or our business associates). To the extent there is a conflict between this Digital Privacy Policy and the NPP with respect to PHI, the NPP will control.

Please review this Digital Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into and made part of our Digital Terms of Use. By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Digital Privacy Policy. You also agree we may collect, use, and disclose information as described in this Digital Privacy Policy and our Digital Terms of Use, subject to applicable law. If you have any questions about our Digital Privacy Policy or our Terms of Use, please contact the Privacy Officer at: Southern Illinois Healthcare, P. O. Box 3988, Carbondale, IL 62901 or 800-228-2631. If you do not agree to our Digital Privacy Policy or Terms of Use, you may not use the Services.

Southern Illinois Healthcare reserves the right to change this Digital Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will update the Effective Date above and post the updated Digital Privacy Policy. Your continued use of the Services after the updated Digital Privacy Policy is posted means you accept the updated Digital Privacy Policy.

Please use the links below to jump to the sections of our Digital Privacy Policy to learn more:

What Information Does Southern Illinois Healthcare Collect?

Information You Provide to Us

We collect information you provide directly to us. For example, we collect information when you: create an account or profile, use the interactive areas and features of the Services, subscribe to a newsletter or email list, participate in a survey or events, pay a bill, make a donation, apply for a job, request customer or technical support, or otherwise communicate with us.

The types of information we may collect from you include:

  1. Demographics, such as your name, email address, password, postal address, phone number, date of birth and any other information you choose to provide.
  2. Transaction Information, such as your health insurance information and limited payment information from you, such as payment method and payment card information; however, we do not collect or store full payment card numbers and all transactions are processed by our third-party payment processor. 
  3. Information about Others, such as the names and the contact information of your providers, your proxies, and any dependents under your care.
  4. Supplier and Vendor Information, such as the names and contact information of our business partners.
  5. Educational and Professional Background, such as your employment history, curriculum vitae, and academic history, when you apply for a job, research grant, or fellowship.
  6. Health Information, such as your past and present medical condition, medication information, and treatment history. Our Apps may collect encounter information from you or your providers affiliated with Southern Illinois Healthcare. The APP may also provide functionality for you to upload your personal health history. 
  7. Other Information You Choose to Provide, such as when you participate in a survey, assessment, contest, promotion or interactive area of the Services or when you request technical or customer support.

Information We Collect Automatically When You Use the Services

When you access or use the Services, the types of information we may automatically collect about you include:

  1. Log Information: When you visit the Services, our servers automatically record certain log file information, such as your Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, operating system, browser type and language, referring URLs, access times, pages viewed, links clicked, and other information about your activities on the Services. Depending on the context and how we maintain this information, some of this data may be considered PHI under HIPAA (for example, if it is associated with an individual and relates to their past, present, or future health issue or condition, the provision of healthcare to the individual, or payment for the provision of healthcare).
  2. Mobile Device Information: We collect information about the mobile device you use to access or use the Services, including the hardware model, operating system and version, unique device identifiers, mobile network information and information about your use of our Apps. With your consent, we may also collect information about the precise location of your device and access and collect information from certain native applications on your device (such as your device’s camera, photo album, microphone, storage and phonebook applications) to facilitate your use of certain features of the Services. For more information about how you can control the collection of location information and/or our access to other applications on your device, please see “Your Choices” below. 
  3. Information Collected by Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies: We and our service providers use various tracking technologies, including cookies and web beacons, to collect information about you when you interact with our Services. Cookies are small data files stored on your hard drive or in device memory that help us improve the Services and your experience, see which areas and features of the Services are popular, and count visits. Web beacons are electronic images that may be used in the Services or emails and help deliver cookies, count visits and understand usage and campaign effectiveness.Depending on the context, information collected through cookies and similar technologies (including online identifiers such as IP address and device identifiers) may be PHI under HIPAA. For more information about cookies and how to manage them, please see “Our Use of Cookies and Pixels” and “Your Choices” below.  
  4. Analytics Services Provided by Others: We may allow others to provide analytics services on our behalf. These entities may use cookies, web beacons, and other technologies to collect information about your use of the Services and other websites, including your IP address, web browser, pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, and conversion information. Where this information is PHI, we will handle it in accordance with HIPAA and our Notice of Privacy Practices and we will use business associated agreements where required by law.  We may use technical and administrative measures intended to limit the information shared with external analytics partners (for example, by filtering, removing, aggregating, and/or de-identifying certain data) consistent with our practices described below under “Our Use of Cookies and Pixels.” For more information about how you may control the collection and/or use of information for analytics purposes, please see “Cookie Use” below.

Information Collected from Other Sources

We may also obtain information about you from other sources. For example, if you have an existing medical record at another organization outside of Southern Illinois Healthcare, you may be able to see your test results, along with other functionality, from within our Apps through MyChart. Additionally, you may be able to view your COVID-related information and test results from your outside organization, or from state registries, within our Apps.

How Does Southern Illinois Healthcare Use Information?

Southern Illinois Healthcare uses the information about you for various purposes, including to:

  • Provide, maintain and improve our Services and provide you with relevant information; 
  • Send you technical notices, updates, security alerts and support and administrative messages; 
  • Respond to your comments, questions and requests and provide customer service; 
  • Communicate with you about products and services offered by us and others through the use of pixels and other marketing tools to provide news and information we think will be of interest to you; 
  • Plan, administer and coordinate events, community groups and outreach activities; 
  • Process financial assistance applications and donations; 
  • Monitor and analyze trends, usage and activities in connection with our Services; 
  • Detect, investigate and prevent fraudulent transactions and other illegal activities and protect the rights and property of Southern Illinois Healthcare and others; 
  • Maintain appropriate records for internal administrative purposes; 
  • Process applications for employment, fellowships, and grants; and 
  • Carry out any other purpose described to you at the time the information was collected.

Please note, our use of your PHI is explained in the Notice of Privacy Practices.

How Does Southern Illinois Healthcare Share Information?

We may share information about you, including Personal Information, as follows, or as otherwise described in this Privacy Statement:

  • With vendors, consultants and other service providers who need access to such information to carry out work or perform services on our behalf; 
  • In response to requests from local, state, provincial or federal law enforcement officials, any judicial, administrative or similar proceeding or order, such as a subpoena if we believe disclosure is in accordance with, or required by any applicable law; 
  • If we believe your actions are inconsistent with our user agreements or policies, or to protect the rights, property and safety of Southern Illinois Healthcare and others; 
  • To investigate suspected fraud, harassment, physical threats, or other violations of any law, rule or regulation, the Services’ rules or policies, or the rights of third parties or to investigate any suspected conduct which we deem improper; 
  • In connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of company assets, financing or acquisition of all or a portion of our business by another company; 
  • Between and among Southern Illinois Healthcare and our current and future parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and other companies under common control and ownership; 
  • For recruitment in research studies;
  • With your consent or at your direction; 
  • To comply with transparency or other public reporting obligations; and 
  • As otherwise permitted or required by law. 

For more information about how we share your PHI, please review our Notice of Privacy Practices.

We may also share aggregated or de-identified information, which is not intended to identify you and, where applicable, is de-identified in accordance with the HIPAA de-identification standard (45 C.F.R. § 164.514). 

We are based in the United States and the information we collect is governed by U.S. law. By accessing or using the Services or otherwise providing information to us, you consent to the processing and transfer of information in and to the U.S. and other countries, where you may not have the same rights as you do under local law. Where this is the case, we will take appropriate measures to protect information about you in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Children's Privacy

Southern Illinois Healthcare is committed to protecting the privacy of children. You should be aware that this Websites and Apps are not intended or designed to attract children. In addition, we do not collect personal information from any person known by Southern Illinois Healthcare to be a child under the age of 13.

Security

We seek to use reasonable physical, technical, and administrative measures designed to protect personal information within our organization. Unfortunately, no data transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure (for example, if you feel that the security of your account has been compromised), please immediately notify us in accordance with the “Contacting Us” section below. 

Region-Specific Disclosures

The services described are directed only at customers in the United States. If you are visiting the Services, or any part thereof, from outside of the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, or processed in the United States and maintained on computers or servers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where the privacy laws may not be as protective as those in your jurisdiction. By using any portion of our Services, you acknowledge and understand that your information may be transferred to, stored, or processed in the United States and, as described in this Digital Privacy Policy, may be shared with service providers and other third parties as permitted by applicable law.

California and Delaware “Do Not Track” Disclosures

California and Delaware law require us to indicate whether we honor “Do Not Track” settings in your Web browser concerning targeted advertising. At this time, there is no worldwide uniform or consistent industry standard or definition for responding to, processing, or communicating “Do Not Track” signals. Thus, like many other websites and online services, we do not currently respond to any “Do Not Track” browser requests.

Links to Third-Party Websites

Our Services may reference or provide links to third-party websites, applications, or online services, and may also include third-party content, tools, plug-ins, widgets, scripts, or other features that are embedded in or integrated with our Services. Other websites may also reference or link to our Services. Because these third-party websites, applications, and services are not owned, operated, or controlled by Southern Illinois Healthcare, we do not control and are not responsible for the content, availability, security, functionality, or information practices of such third-party websites. This includes, without limitation, their collection, use, disclosure, tracking, or processing of information (which may occur automatically through cookies, pixels, SDKs, or similar technologies) whether before, during, or after you leave our Services. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our Services to review the privacy policies posted on each and every website that collects personally identifiable information. Please be aware that information collected by third-party websites or services is not governed by this Digital Privacy Policy or our Notice of Privacy Practices, and Southern Illinois Healthcare does not act as a covered entity or business associate with respect to such third-party activities unless expressly stated otherwise and subject to a written agreement. Your access to and use of third-party websites, services, or content is at your own risk, and Southern Illinois Health disclaims any liability for any loss, damage, or unauthorized use or disclosure of information resulting from your interaction with such third parties.

Certain Services may include telehealth or virtual care features that rely on third party technologies, platforms, networks, devices, or software not owned or controlled by Southern Illinois Healthcare. While we take reasonable steps to select and use technologies designed to support the privacy and security of information, we do not control and are not responsible for the privacy practices, security controls, or operational reliability of third party technologies, internet service providers, device manufacturers, or networks used in connection with telehealth services. 

Your Choices

Account Information

You may update, correct or modify information about you at any time by logging into your online account or by contacting us at 618.457.5200 ext.67123 or by email at sih.mychart@sih.net. If you wish to deactivate your account, please email us at sih.mychart@sih.net, but note we may continue to store information about you as required by law or for legitimate business purposes. 

Newsletters

Upon your request, we may send you information about Southern Illinois Healthcare via email. You may unsubscribe from receiving marketing or other commercial emails from us by following the instructions included in the email. However, even if you opt-out of receiving such communications, we retain the right to send you non-marketing communications (such as important transaction information, or changes in website or mobile application terms).

Location Information

With your consent, we may collect information about your actual location when you use our Apps. You may stop the collection of this information at any time by changing the settings on your mobile device but note that some features of our Apps may no longer function if you do so. If you choose to enable and use location services for the App, your location data may be retained and used by the App’s location services vendor for a defined period of time.

Native Applications on Mobile Device

Some features of our Apps may require access to certain native applications on your mobile device, such as the camera and photo storage applications (e.g., to take and upload photos), microphone and the phonebook application. If you decide to use these features, your mobile device will ask for your consent prior to accessing the applications and collecting information. Note that you can revoke your consent at any time by changing the settings on your device.  Please be advised of how this information is used, accessed, stored and shared:

Features,

Camera Our Apps allow you to use your camera to take new photos or to capture video in a recording that can be securely sent to your providers. The photos you take may be used to personalize your account or used as file attachments that are sent by you through our App. MyChart App may store data collected from the camera in your medical record.
Microphone Our Apps allow you to use your microphone to capture audio associated with videos that you capture that can be securely sent to your providers. The videos you take may be used as file attachments that are sent by you through our App. MyChart App may store data collected from the microphone in your medical record.
Storage Our Apps (including but not limited to the MyChart App) may access your device’s storage to read and write files you choose to use in the application. These files may be used as file attachments that are sent to your provider or they may be created from file attachments sent to you from your provider. Our Apps may store files uploaded from your device's storage in your medical record.
Phone Calls Our Apps may allow you to use your phone to call phone numbers displayed in the App. The App will not store your call history or other call data.

SMS/Text Messaging Terms & Conditions

If you choose to provide your mobile phone number and opt in to receive SMS/text messages from Southern Illinois Healthcare (including our affiliates, such as Southern Illinois Medical Services), you consent to receive text messages at that number. Messages may include appointment reminders, scheduling information, billing notifications, care-related messages, service updates, and other information related to your relationship with Southern Illinois Healthcare. 

Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. 

You can opt out at any time by replying STOP. After you send STOP, you may receive one additional message confirming your request. For help, reply HELP or contact us using the information in the “Contact Us” section below. 

Your consent to receive SMS/text messages is not a condition of receiving treatment, services, or payment. 

We may use service providers to deliver text messages to you. Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. 

We may collect and use information related to SMS/text messaging (such as your phone number, message content, and delivery confirmations) to provide the messaging service and as otherwise described in this Digital Privacy Policy and our Notice of Privacy Practices, as applicable. 

Push Notifications

With your consent, we may send promotional and non-promotional push notifications or alerts to your mobile device. You can deactivate these messages at any time by changing the notification settings on your mobile device or within our Apps.

Our Use of Cookies and Pixels

We use cookies and other pixel applications and related data collection technologies (“cookies”) to provide services, gather information when users navigate through the Site to enhance and personalize the experience, to understand usage patterns, and to improve our Sites, products, and services. Cookies may be placed by us and, in some cases, by third parties (for example, service providers we use for analytics and website functionality). While we take measures designed to manage and limit tracking technologies on our Services, we may not always have complete visibility into or control over all cookies and similar technologies that may be set through your browser or device. 

A cookie is a string of information, including a unique reference code, that a website stores on a visitor’s computer when visiting a website and that the visitor’s browser provides to the website each time the visitor returns.  A number of cookies we use will last only for the duration of your web session and expire when you close your browser.  Other cookies last longer and are used to recognize your computer when you return to the Site.

The cookies you receive from the Sites are served by Southern Illinois Healthcare.  However, some cookies served by us use code provided by a third party delivering analytical services on our behalf.  We and our service providers use the following categories of cookies:

  • Essential Cookies: These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with features available through our Sites and to use some of their features, such as contact forms. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the Sites, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our Sites function.
  • Performance and Functionality Cookies: These cookies are used to enhance the performance and functionality of our Sites but are non-essential to their use. However, without these cookies, certain functionality may become unavailable.
  • Analytics and Customization Cookies: These cookies collect information that is used to help us understand how our Sites are being used or how effective our Marketing Activities are, or to help us customize our Sites for you in order to enhance your experience.
  • Persistent Cookies: These record your visit to our Sites, recognize you as a previous visitor and track your activity on the Sites. These cookies qualify as persistent cookies, because they remain on your device for us to use during a next visit to our Sites. You can delete these cookies via your browser settings. See below for further details on how you can control persistent cookies.

Managing Cookies

Most web browsers automatically accept cookies but, if you prefer, you can change your browser to prevent that or to notify you each time a cookie is set.  You can review your Internet browser settings, typically under the sections “Help” or “Internet Options”, to exercise choices you have for certain cookies.

Please note that by blocking or deleting cookies used on the Sites, you may not be able to take full advantage of the Sites.

You can also learn more about how to manage all cookies across different types of browsers by visiting www.allaboutcookies.org. The site includes additional useful information on cookies.  Cookie management tools are device and browser specific and may not work on all devices.

Please note that new services using cookies may be added to the Sites from time to time. Accordingly, this Cookies Policy is subject to occasional revisions. We will notify you of changes by updating this policy and changes will become effective when posted. Please review this policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

Pixels

SIH uses a healthcare-focused customer data platform to help collect and manage certain analytics data in a privacy-protective manner. We have entered into a business associate agreement (“BAA”) with this vendor, and the vendor processes information on SIH’s behalf. Depending on the context, information collected through cookies/pixels and similar technologies (including online identifiers such as IP address and device identifiers) may be protected health information (“PHI”) under HIPAA. Before disclosing data from this platform to third-party analytics or advertising technology providers (such as Google), the vendor applies technical measures designed to minimize what is shared, including filtering and removing certain data elements and applying de-identification techniques intended to meet the HIPAA de-identification standard (45 C.F.R. § 164.514), using either the Safe Harbor method or Expert Determination, as appropriate. SIH intends to disclose only de-identified and/or aggregated information to third parties through this process, and implements measures designed to reduce the risk that information can be used to identify an individual, unless otherwise permitted by law and appropriate agreements are in place. De-identification is a process defined by HIPAA and is intended to reduce the risk that information can be used to identify an individual; however, no method can guarantee zero risk in every circumstance. SIH’s use and disclosure of PHI is governed by HIPAA and our Notice of Privacy Practices. https://documentation.freshpaint.io/readme/what-is-freshpaint. 

Please note that new services using cookies may be added to the Sites from time to time. Accordingly, this Cookies Policy is subject to occasional revisions. We will notify you of changes by updating this policy and changes will become effective when posted. Please review this policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Digital Privacy Policy or concerns about the way Southern Illinois Healthcare processes your information, or require assistance in managing your privacy choices, you may contact the Privacy Officer at: 

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