Privacy Rights 

 

The policy of the company is to maintain the privacy of protected health information of individuals covered under the group health plans sponsored by the company and to provide such individuals specific rights concerning their protected health information by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”). 

 

The company and the group health plan will not use or disclose protected health information except as necessary for treatment, payment, and other healthcare operations or as otherwise permitted or required by law. Protected health information may be disclosed to and used by employees responsible for carrying out administrative functions for the company’s group health plans – for example, enrollment/unenrollment, claims administration, and benefit payment. However, these employees will only have access to information on a “need-to-know” basis. They will use and disclose only the minimum necessary protected health information to accomplish the intended Plan administration purpose. Without authorization, the company, and the plans will not use or disclose protected health information for employment-related actions and decisions or in connection with any other benefit or employee benefit plan of the company.

 

For full details regarding privacy rules, please refer to the summary plan description for the relevant health plan. You may also obtain copies of the Notice of Privacy Practices distributed for each plan from Human Resources. 

 

This section does not apply to the company's use or disclosure of employee medical information obtained outside of the group health plan, including but not limited to administrating FMLA leave, the ADA reasonable accommodation process, or workers’ compensation. Such medical information will be maintained, used, and disclosed by legal requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.