UNISON INTERNET PRIVACY STATEMENT
The Unison website is designed to provide important information to members and health plan providers. The website will gather and store certain information from visitors automatically such as how many visited the website, what type of technology they used, which pages they visited and how long they stayed on the website. This information does not identify anyone personally and is used only to improve the website and make it more useful for our members and visitors.
A. WEBSITE PRIVACY PRACTICES NOTICE
The word “Unison " is used to describe the health plans, products, and services owned and operated by Three Rivers Holdings, Inc.
This Website Privacy Practices Notice sets forth the practices of Unison regarding information gathering and disclosure from Unison’s internet website (the Site).
1. Collection of Information from Site Visitors - Unison may collect information regarding its Site visitors and the computers they use, such as email addresses, files downloaded, home server domain names, type of computer, search engine, operating system and web browser. Unison may also collect information the visitor submits on-line when the visitor completes forms or surveys, sends email messages or enters other data into website fields. In the event an email is addressed to specific Unison employee or agent or is sent using the “Contact Us” option of this Site, Unison may retain the message for up to one year. Unison uses information and discloses it to third parties as permitted by law and to the least extent necessary.
The Site and certain linked sites use cookies to facilitate navigation. A cookie is a small piece of information about an internet session that may be created when a person accesses a website. Cookies may contain a variety of information including the name of the website that issued them, what parts of the website the user accessed, passwords and user’s name. Most web browsers can be modified by users to prevent cookies from being attached.
2. Use of Personal Data Collected - Personal data collected by Unison may be used by Unison for many reasons, including analysis of how and when the Site is visited, for development of Unison services or for changes in the content and appearance of this Site. Aggregate data on visitors' home servers may be used for internal purposes or provided to third parties. Individually identifying information, such as names, postal and email addresses, phone numbers and other personal information that visitors voluntarily provide to Unison may be added to Unison's databases and/or used for future calls and mailings regarding Site updates, new products and services, upcoming events, and for other purposes that comply with federal and state law.
Unison may contact website visitors regarding membership issues, including specific issues affecting a member and general issues affecting groups of members, for example, changes to a Member Handbook, business practices or Unison policies.
3. Disclosure of Personal Data to Third Parties - Unison does not sell its member lists. Unless otherwise authorized by a visitor or validly requested by governmental authorities or legal process, Unison does not distribute its members’ specific information to outside persons or firms unless a disclosure is needed for the member’s care, payment of members’ claims or the necessary operations of a Unison health plan.
Unison may disclose to its affiliates and service providers that assist in meeting the needs of Unison member’s personal information of users that has been collected through its Site, as permitted by law. Information collected by Unison affiliates and service providers may also be shared with Unison as permitted by law. Information disclosed by users on-line may be re-disclosed if needed to respond to the user’s requests and inquiries. Unison affiliates and service providers are required to follow no less than the privacy and confidentiality standards of law.
4. Links to Other Websites - While Unison may provide links to other websites, a link on the Site is not and should not be construed as an endorsement of the content, viewpoint, policies, products or services provided or advertised on the linked site. Once a visitor leaves the Site by linking to a site not maintained by Unison, the visitor should become familiar with the on-line privacy statement of the linked website before accessing or supplying information.
5. Security Measures - Although Unison makes reasonable efforts to protect user information from unauthorized use or alteration, users should be aware that there is always some risk in sending information over the Internet. Unison uses commercially reasonable security features; however, the confidentiality of any communication or material transmitted to/from the Site or email cannot be guaranteed. Unison only grants access to personal information to those employees, affiliates, service providers and other third parties as required by law, as required to provide healthcare products and services or as the user permits.
For private health matters, Unison members or their authorized representatives are encouraged to contact Unison by telephone at the number listed on the member identification cards.
6. Correction of Personal Data Collected On-Line - Unison will provide Site visitors with a summary of their personally identifiable information retained by Unison from on-line sessions, upon request by mail, email or phone. Site visitors may modify, correct, change or update personally identifiable information that Unison has collected on-line by contacting Unison via regular mail, email or telephone.
7. Collection of Personal Data from Minors - To the extent that Unison is able to determine the age of Site visitors by their submissions to or communications with Unison, Unison will not knowingly collect or post information from individuals under the age of eighteen without consent of a parent or guardian.
If registration is required on the Site for offered services and a visitor submits information through the Site that indicates the visitor is a minor, the minor's parent or guardian will be contacted regarding the registration. If the parent or guardian agrees, the registration processing will continue. If the parent or guardian indicates a desire to withdraw the registration, Unison will provide instructions to the parent or guardian for deletion of the registration. No information collected through the Site from users self-identified as minors will be used knowingly for any direct marketing or promotional purposes.
8. Compliance Program – Unison’s Compliance Program regarding privacy and security of user information includes oversight of privacy practices, training of employees and maintenance and updates to security systems. Unison will investigate privacy and security complaints through its Compliance Officer.
9. Changes to this Privacy Notice - This Website Privacy Practices Notice is subject to change at any time and should be reviewed by interested website visitors periodically. Questions or concerns regarding use of on-line information may be directed to Unison by clicking “Contact Us” from the top of any of Unison’s web pages.
B. MEMBER'S PRIVACY POLICY NOTICE
THIS MEMBER'S PRIVACY POLICY NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
The law says we must help protect our Members’ privacy. These are the rules that Unison[i] and its affiliates use to do that job. We must follow these rules. We make sure that the providers and everyone else who works with us agree to help protect your privacy and use these rules. We can change our privacy rules, if we do, the new rules will apply to all the information we have about you. If we make changes, we will send you updated information.
Financial Information
When you join our health plan, we may get information about who you are, where you live and your income. We share that information with the related government payor agency[i]. We also use it to run our business. We will not share your information with anyone else unless you say we can or the law says we must.
Health Information
We get information about our Members’ health from providers. When you join one of our health plans, you allow us to use that kind of information. We use it when we pay for and help arrange your health care. We also use it to run our health plans. We will not use your health information to do other things unless you say we can.
How We Use Your Information
We use health information for treatment, payment and healthcare operations.
- We use your information to help arrange your care. We may send appointment reminders for you or your children. We also help with care for members who are hurt, sick or pregnant. We share your information with doctors, hospitals, drugstores and other providers when we pay them for your care. We share information with other companies that also pay for your care. We share your information with the government so they can help with any payment problems.
- We tell the related government payor agencyii about Unison Health Plan Members’ health.
- We can use your information to check how our health plans are doing. We also use it to check on the doctors, hospitals and other providers that work with us.
- We share your information when we send reports to the government.
- We will not share your information with your employer unless you say we can.
- If you cannot give your OK, we can get the OK from someone who takes care of you or your family.
We may use your health information if the law says we must or we can.
- We may have to share your information if you are in a lawsuit.
- We may share your information if there is a serious threat to the health or safety of you or anyone else.
YOUR RIGHTS
- When you join our health plan, you agree that we can use your health information. We use it the way we explained at the time of your enrollment.
- You can look at and get copies of your health information that we hold.
- You can give us more information to complete or correct your records. You need to give this information in writing and tell why you want to change the records.
- You can ask us to change how we use your health information. You need to ask us in writing. We do not have to agree.
- We will tell you how and when we shared your health information if you ask. You need to ask for this in writing.
- You can ask that your health information be sent privately.
- We can only use your information to do other things if you say we can. You can take back that permission at any time.
- We will not do anything to punish you if you use your rights, file a complaint or ask us for help with your privacy.
- You can ask for a paper copy of this flyer and we will send you one.
COMPLAINTS
Member Services can answer some of your privacy questions. They also take complaints and grievances. You can reach them at 1.800.414.9025.
Or you can write to:
Member Services
c/o Unison Administrative Services, LLC
1001 Brinton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Please specify the name of the plan in which you are enrolled.
You may also file a complaint with the federal government by calling the Office of Civil Rights at 1.866.627.7748 or in writing at:
Secretary of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20201
You Have the Right to Your Privacy
Unison Health Plan will not give medical information about you to anyone without your OK, UNLESS the law requires it. Of course, we will share information with your PCP.
[i] Unison Administrative Services, LLC ("Unison Services") conducts health plan operations for its affiliated and contracted managed care organizations ("MCOs"), including, but not limited to, Unison Health Plan of Pennsylvania, Inc., Unison Family Health Plan of Pennsylvania, Inc., Unison Health Plan of Ohio, Inc., Unison Health Plan of Tennessee, Inc., Unison Health Plan of South Carolina, Inc.,Unison Health Plan of New Jersey, Inc. and Unison Health Plan of Delaware, Inc. (collectively referred to as “Unison”).
[ii] As to Pennsylvania operations, those agencies include the Pennsylvania Insurance Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. As to Tennessee operations, the agency is the Bureau of TennCare. As to Ohio operations, the agency is the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. As to South Carolina operations, the agency is the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. As to New Jersey operations, the agency is the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. As to Delaware operations, the agency is the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides federal oversight of Medicaid and Medicare programs.