Dean Health Plan’s Member Privacy Policy

The privacy of your nonpublic personal information is very important to us at Dean. This Notice describes how we protect the confidentiality of the nonpublic personal information we receive on all members, including former members. The following is a brief explanation of the manner in which we obtain, use and protect your nonpublic personal information.

What Types of Nonpublic Personal Information
Does Dean Collect About You?

We collect a variety of nonpublic personal information needed to administer health insurance coverage and benefits. We collect nonpublic personal information about you from some of the following sources:

• Information we receive directly or indirectly from you or your employer or benefits plan sponsor through applications, surveys or other forms. The information may be received in writing, in person, by telephone or electronically. Examples include name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, marital status and medical history.
• Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, our providers, our agents and others. This includes information from health care claims, medical history, eligibility information, payment information, service requests, and appeal and grievance information.
• Information you authorize us to collect from others

How Does Dean Protect This Information?

We limit the collection of nonpublic personal information to that which is necessary to administer our business, provide quality service and meet regulatory requirements. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal and state regulations to protect your nonpublic personal information. We limit the internal use of oral, written and electronic nonpublic personal information about you and ensure that only authorized staff with the need to know have access to it.

When Dean May Not Use or Disclose Your Health Information

We will not disclose your nonpublic personal information unless we are allowed or required by law to do so. If required by law, we will obtain your authorization prior to using or disclosing your health information. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time.

The following categories describe the ways that Dean may use and disclose your nonpublic personal information. In carrying out the functions listed below, Dean may transmit your nonpublic personal information to people or organizations outside of Dean as allowed under the law. When Dean transmits or releases nonpublic personal information to another organization, Dean requires that other organization to protect your information from unauthorized and inappropriate use or disclosure. Not every use or disclosure we might make will be listed.

• Payment functions. We may use or disclose your health information to make or collect payment for treatment or services you receive. For example, we may use or disclose your health information to determine your eligibility for plan benefits, obtain premiums and collect payment from third parties such as other health plans or providers for the care you receive.
• Health care operations. We may use and disclose your health information to carry out necessary insurance-related activities and to provide coverage and services to you. Health care operations includes underwriting, premium rating, case management and care coordination, fraud and abuse detection programs, medical reviews, business planning and development, and general administrative activities such as customer service and resolution of internal grievances.
• Treatment alternatives. We may contact you or your health care providers with information about treatment alternatives and other related functions that may be of interest to you.
• Distributing health-related benefits and services. We may use or disclose your health information to provide information on health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.
• Disclosure to plan sponsors. If applicable, we may disclose certain health information to the sponsor of your group health plan for purposes of administering benefits under the plan or to determine whether you are participating in the health plan.

Summary Statement of Your Health Information Rights

All requests to exercise the rights listed below must be submitted in writing to the Privacy Officer, or you can call Dean Customer Service to request the appropriate form to complete. You have the right to:

• Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information
• Receive your health information through a reasonable alternative means or at an alternative location
• Inspect and copy certain health information about you
• Request that Dean amend health information held by Dean that you believe is incorrect or incomplete
• Receive a list of certain disclosures of your health information

Questions?

If you would like a paper copy of this Notice, want more information about our privacy practices, have questions about any part of this Notice or have a complaint regarding our privacy practices, please call the Dean Customer Service Department at 800-279-1301 or write to the Privacy Officer at 1277 Deming Way, Madison, WI 53717.

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