200.993           MSSNY Privacy Policy: 

200.993           MSSNY Privacy Policy: 

MSSNY Privacy Statement;

MSSNY is committed to protecting and preserving the privacy interests of physicians, and is committed to using data about physicians in a secure and responsible manner.  In order to more effectively serve physicians, MSSNY will collect, use and disclose physician data in ways that are determined to be appropriate and responsible.  This Privacy Statement generally describes how data about physicians is collected, used or disclosed by MSSNY. This Privacy Statement also provides physicians the opportunity to opt-out and make changes to the data collected.

What Information Does MSSNY Collect? 

Medical Directory of New York State

The Medical Directory of New York State (“Medical Directory”) is currently published online as a reference source of demographic and professional information accessible only by members of the Medical Society of the State of New York.  Since its first publication in 1899, it has been a recognized and trusted source.  The biographical data included in the Medical Directory are extracted from MSSNY’s master database and can be updated online by the physician.  The Medical Society of the State of New York is not responsible for validating any information published by physicians.  Additional sources of data in MSSNY master files include data obtained from county medical societies and other organizations/institutions.

Since the purpose of the Medical Directory is to provide information on physicians’ professional background and contact information MSSNY does not undertake to maintain the privacy of the professional data included in the Directory.  Such data provided by the physician includes: name, office address, phone, fax, email, medical school, specialty, board certification, hospital affiliation, languages, insurance plans, practice website, and membership in other state and national medical societies.

Demographic, Professional and Contact Data

The MSSNY master file includes information obtained from physicians, county medical societies and other medical organizations/institutions.  The physician master file includes member and non-members of MSSNY.  Sample information in the master file includes:

Physician name (first, middle, last)
NY State medical license number
License date
Date of birth
Gender
Medical school
Year of medical school graduation
Resident year & place of residency
Specialty (primary specialty plus 2 sub-specialties)
Board certifications
Other state or national medical society membership
Preferred mailing address, phone, fax, email
Office address (up to 3 office addresses, phone, fax, email)
Languages spoken
Insurance carrier plans accepted by office
Hospital affiliation, title, department
Practice website

MSSNY may use the demographic data it stores to communicate with physicians and to enhance member services.  MSSNY may use demographic data to conduct demographic studies.  If a demographic study is published, the study will not provide data that will identify any individual physician or medical practice unless consented by the physician or medical practice, but, the data may be aggregated such as by specialty, county or locality.

MSSNY may share data with county medical societies in order to assure the highest possible level of accuracy in the MSSNY-county medical society list of physicians.

IMIS is MSSNY’s database that stores membership, demographic and contact data.  MSSNY stores membership data pertaining to category and status of members and the preferred mailing address for all MSSNY correspondence.  The membership related fields store dates relating to when a physician joined MSSNY, the date when a MSSNY member paid membership dues, and the county medical society the physician has joined.  The IMIS data base includes the information listed above as well as the following

IMIS identification number
MSSNY membership category and type
Membership status
Physician’s full name
Preferred mailing address
Phone
Fax
E-mail address
Joined date
Dues payment date and amount
County Medical Society membership
MSSNY committees
Continuing Medical Education data

MSSNY uses the IMIS database for internal purposes, as a means to communicate with its member physicians and to enhance member services.  MSSNY may provide pertinent membership information to the physician’s county medical society.  In addition, MSSNY may provide to the AMA information regarding new student members who join AMA and MSSNY concurrently.

MSSNY will use e-mail addresses voluntarily provided by physicians to notify them about MSSNY’s services, products, activities or upcoming events.  Physicians who do not wish to receive notifications by e-mail may opt-out of receiving such information at any time by contacting MSSNY Information Services Department at 516-488-6100 ext. 367 or 365.

Electoral Data Obtained from Outside Vendor

MSSNY has retained an outside consultant to search and compare NYS Board of Elections data with MSSNY’s database of physician members.  This information will assist MSSNYPAC and county medical societies in soliciting potential MSSNYPAC donors and potential direct candidate supporters who are already members of MSSNY or have a past relationship with MSSNY. Preliminary results from matching the datasets produced 3,650 matches to persons who have not previously contributed to MSSNYPAC within the last 5 years.  The data we will receive includes the committee to which the individual has contributed, the amount contributed and date of contribution dating back to 2010.  In addition, we will receive similar information on physicians who have contributed to MSSNYPAC since 2010 whether or not they are currently members of MSSNYPAC.

The BOE Data is used by MSSNY to enhance political participation my MSSNY members in MSSNYPAC and thereby enhance MSSNYPAC’s finances and ability to make political contributions.

Third Parties

MSSNY does not release members’ email addresses except to the physician’s county medical society or by the physician’s permission, and generally does not rent or sell phone numbers, fax numbers, or personal identifying information to third parties.  The only information that MSSNY sells is mailing lists/labels and other contact information as negotiated with the third party.  The third party must demonstrate to MSSNY that the intended use of this information is in the interest of the physician.  Third parties must agree that the mailing lists and contact information provided may not be duplicated, and must adhere to MSSNY Privacy policies.

Opt-Out and Making Changes to Demographic and Membership Information

As noted in the above sections, most of the demographic and membership data collected by MSSNY is provided by the physicians, their county medical societies, groups, associations or institutions.  Physicians have the opportunity to view and modify their data by calling the MSSNY Information Services Department at 516-488-6100 ext 367 or 365.  Physicians can also e-mail changes and corrections to the Information Services Department: [email protected]

Physicians can also request to opt-out of mailings, publications and e-mail by contacting the MSSNY Information Services Department.

If you have any questions or wish to have your name and contact information removed from specific mailing lists and/or electronic email communications, please contact our Information Services Department.

General Provisions

MSSNY will disclose personal information to third parties if MSSNY believes in good faith that the law requires MSSNY to do so.

MSSNY reserves the right to amend this policy at any time.  Amendments will be posted on the MSSNY website.  (Council 9/21/06, Amended HOD 2016)