Website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Revised 09/24/2026

Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM) is committed to protecting the privacy of your information. Our Website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy explain in detail how we may collect, use and share data as allowed and required by law.

Changes to information

Information on our website may be changed or updated without notice. Changes become effective once they are posted. HPSM is not responsible for notifying users of changes our Website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. By using this website, you understand that you are responsible for reviewing this policy periodically. You also agree to accept changes to this policy each time you access and use website information.

Auditing information accuracy

We continually review and update the information on our website in order to keep it as current and accurate as possible. However, we cannot guarantee that all of the information on this website is up to date and accurate.

Links to other websites

Links to other healthcare or informational websites are only for your convenience in obtaining related information. Inclusion of links or referrals to other websites does not imply HPSM’s endorsement of their contents. HPSM does not control the privacy practices or contents of these websites and cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information. We encourage you to review the privacy practices of any website you visit.

Limitations of HPSM liability

HPSM strives to provide accurate, current and useful information through this website. However, your use of this website and its content is at your own risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, HPSM, its officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors and suppliers are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary or punitive damages arising out of or related to your access to, use of, or inability to use this website or this content.

HPSM is not responsible for the actions, statements, opinions or conduct of third parties, including content that may be considered inaccurate, offensive, defamatory, inappropriate or unlawful.

By using this website, you agree that HPSM shall not be liable under any legal theory (including contract, tort, negligence, strict liability or otherwise) for any claims arising from your use of the website or reliance on information made available through it.

All services, software, content and information provided through this website are offered on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. This includes but is not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, accuracy or uninterrupted availability.

Not a substitute for professional healthcare or advice

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for a visit or call with a medical, dental, behavioral health or other qualified healthcare provider. For specific healthcare needs, or for complete healthcare information, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.

The information on this website is:

• Presented only for the purpose of educating our members on our health coverage programs and medically related topics.
• Not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.
• Not to be considered as complete.
• Not to be relied on as a course of treatment.

Protecting your health information

HPSM is committed to protecting your personal health information. We do not collect personal information about you on this website unless you provide it to us voluntarily.

• Personal information is any information or data that can be connected to an individual (such as name, physical address, email address, birthdate and username).
• Portions of HPSM’s website may allow you to provide personal information. For example, you may be given the opportunity to fill out surveys for the purpose of helping us improve this website. Or you may be given the opportunity to fill out comment forms to request materials or submit requests, questions or concerns that we then respond to. Filling out surveys and forms is voluntary, so you may choose whether or not to disclose personal information.
• We do not share, sell, rent or license any personal information you provide to us with outside individuals or organizations. We only use it for the purpose it was provided. The only third parties we share personal information with are our vendors and subcontractors who need the information to assist us, as allowed and required by law.

HPSM Notice of Privacy Practices

The Notice of Privacy Practices contains a summary of HPSM’s privacy practices and your rights relating to health information. This notice only covers HPSM’s privacy practices. Your doctor may have different policies or notices regarding their use and disclosure of your health information created in their office. View HPSM Notice of Privacy Practices.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

You have a right to know about personal information that is collected, disclosed or sold

• As a health plan, HPSM complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA).
• HPSM does not collect personal information that is not related to its healthcare programs.
• HPSM uses cookies to help you access our website and let us know if you have visited us before. These cookies do not give us personal information about you.
• HPSM does not sell personal information.

HPSM complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not does not unlawfully discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently because of sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Review the complete Notice of Non-Discrimination.

Children’s privacy and communications

HPSM's website is intended primarily to provide information and services to members, parents, guardians, caregivers, providers, and other authorized representatives. Certain health education materials may be developed for teens and young adults (13-21) to support their health and wellness needs.

HPSM does not knowingly solicit personal information directly from children through its website except as permitted by law or with appropriate authorization. Information requests, account-related transactions, and other communications requiring the submission of personal information are generally intended to be completed by adults or authorized representatives acting on behalf of a member.

If HPSM becomes aware that personal information has been submitted in error or without appropriate authorization, reasonable steps will be taken to address the information in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

HPSM does not direct website content specifically toward children under the age of 18. Information requests and communications submitted through this website are intended to be completed by adults (including parents, guardians, caregivers, members, providers or other authorized representatives). HPSM does not knowingly solicit personal information directly from children through this website and will take reasonable steps to address any information submitted in error.

Cookies

This website uses cookies to both understand the content our users are most interested in and enhance the browsing experience.  If user does not consent to the cookie policy, they can still use the website.

A cookie is a piece of data stored on a site visitor's temporary memory to help us improve their access to our site and identify repeat visitors to our site. There are two kinds of cookies.

• Session cookie: a line of text stored temporarily in a computer’s memory. This type of cookie is never saved. It is deleted as soon as the user closes their browser.
• Persistent cookie: a line of text that the browser saves to a permanent file on the computer’s hard drive.

We use session "cookies" on this site. Cookies enable us to track and target the interests of our users . This information is used to both understand the content most relevant to our members and to help improve the user experience on our site. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any  information that can identify the user on our site.

Website analytics

We use Google Analytics to help us understand how visitors use our website and improve the information and services we provide. Google Analytics collects information such as pages visited, time spent on pages, browser type and general device information.

HPSM does not use Google Analytics to personally identify individual website visitors through information they enter website forms, online searches or other user-submitted content. We only use this information in an aggregated manner and do not share it with analytics providers.

Google Analytics is provided by Google and may process information in accordance with Google's privacy practices. To learn more about how Google collects and processes data, please visit Google's Privacy Policy and related analytics information pages.

Email communications

HPSM welcomes your comments and questions. Phone numbers, mailing addresses and email addresses are provided on this website so that you can contact us.

Questions or comments sent to HPSM using email may be shared with HPSM staff and healthcare professionals who are most able to address your concerns. All staff consider member information confidential. However, many email systems are not protected from third parties who may be able to access your email without your permission. Make sure to review your email provider’s privacy practices.