Your Rights and Responsibilities
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.
What and how we share--it's up to you.
To safeguard your personal health information, Mass Advantage adheres to the most stringent policies. We also rely upon you to let us know your preferences about what's okay to share with whom and under which circumstances.
For example, you can instruct us on how your information is to be shared:
- With your family, close friends, or others involved in payment for your care
- In certain circumstances, such as a disaster relief situation
Important to know: If you are unable to inform us of your preferences, (e.g. loss of consciousness), we may go ahead and share your information. This is only done if needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety. Should this be necessary, we disclose only the minimum amount of details necessary.
What we won't share
Without your explicit, written permission, we never share or sell your information for marketing purposes or for any purpose other than the provision of your care and plan services.
- You can ask to see or get a copy of your health and claims records and other health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.
- We will provide a copy or a summary of your health and claims records, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
- You can ask us to correct your health and claims records if you think they are incorrect or incomplete. Ask us how to do this.
- We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
- You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address.
- We will consider all reasonable requests, and must say “yes” if you tell us you would be in danger if we do not.
- You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations.
- We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.
- You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.
- We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
- You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.
- If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.
- We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
- You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us using the information on page 1.
- You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Or calling (877) 696-6775
Or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
- We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.