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WEBSITE INTERNET SECURITY
Please be assured that all records containing
confidential medical, financial and insurance data are handled and
discarded in a way that is designed to protect the privacy and security
of the information. Internet Privacy BCBSD respects the need for security of your personal information when you use our internet website. Our systems and website are designed to maximize the protection of your information. BCBSD uses 128-bit encryption for our online services. Data is transferred between you and BCBSD in a "secured session" using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption technology. SSL is the industry standard security protocol for encoding sensitive information. It works by creating a shared digital key which only allows the sender and receiver of the transmission to scramble and unscramble the information. If your internet browser does not support 128-bit encryption, to use our online services you must download the most current version of Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. If you access the internet via a corporate network, please check with your system administrator before downloading a new internet browser. If your internet browser is provided by a commercial Internet Service Provider, such as America Online or Prodigy, you will need to check with your provider to see if your version supports 128-bit encryption. Under current U.S. export laws, web browsers that use 128-bit encryption may only be exported to a limited number of countries outside of the U.S. Therefore, outside of the U.S. you may not have access to such a browser and thus be unable to use our protected online services. Your internet browser can tell you whether or not you are in a website secured by Secured Socket Layer technology by the presence of a padlock or key (depending on your browser) somewhere along the bottom of your browser's window. If the lock is closed or the key is unbroken, you are in a secured section of your host's website. Your password protects the access to your information with us. To maintain the security of your information, do not share your password with anyone else and be sure to follow other standard security protocols such as regularly changing your password. It is your responsibility to protect the privacy of your password. If you suspect the privacy of your password has been compromised, please either change your password immediately or contact us at helpdesk@bcbsde.com.
BCBSD does not use or authorize the use of spyware or adware in connection with our Website. "Spyware" or "adware" is any software which has been downloaded to and/or installed on an Internet user's computer, without the user's actual consent, to harvest personal information or to deliver advertising.
When you register to use our online services, we will request information from you in connection with your registration. We do collect and save this information. Information you submit directly to us will remain on our servers, secured by the SSL technology. Unauthorized users will not have access to your personal information. You may view or modify the information we have captured
about you, or cancel your online access by clicking “More” in the
Customers Menu on our website, and choosing “Update my BlueConnection
account Information” link. This same section enables you to change your
password. When you use e-mail or our online forms to correspond with us, we may save the content of your e-mail, your e-mail address, and our response so that we can more effectively handle any questions you may have. We recommend that you use our website’s secure online forms to communicate to us. All of our online forms are secured through Secured Socket Layer technology and are encrypted (as described above) when you submit them to us. Do not send sensitive or confidential information to us by regular e-mail. E-mail from your PC is unsecured and could be intercepted during transmission. Likewise, our response e-mail, which leaves our secure website during transmission to you could be intercepted during that transmission. You may request that we respond to your website inquiry via mail or telephone. Information you voluntarily provide BCBSD during your online sessions with us may be used by BCBSD for our own marketing or administrative purposes, such as for notifying you of services you may find helpful. Your information will not be sold or shared with third parties, except as may be permitted or required by law. Links to Other Sites Our website does contain links to other websites owned by non-affiliated companies. Please be aware that once you enter another website, you may be subject to different privacy practices and levels of security, which are beyond BCBSD’s control. BCBSD is not responsible for the confidentiality, privacy or security practices or content of such websites. Children BCBSD is committed to protecting children's identities. We never collect or maintain information on our website from those we actually know are under 13, and no part of our website is intended to attract anyone under 13. Health Information Protecting member's confidential information has always been a priority for BCBSD. You have certain additional rights relating to your protected health information, whether oral, written or electronic. The Notice of Privacy Practices* explains those rights. Medical Records We do obtain and review medical records for purposes of determining benefits and managing care; however, we are not the primary source of such records, and we use and maintain only the minimum information necessary for the purposes described. You may request access to your medical records by contacting your provider's office. You must follow the provider's procedures for accessing medical information. Other Uses of Information We will continue our commitment to keeping your personal, financial and medical information private and secure, and to use and disclose your information only with your permission or as permitted or required by law. The Notice of Privacy Practices* explains how your Protected Health information is used and disclosed. The Privacy Practices Disclosure letter (financial information) describes our practices with respect to your personal financial information. Treatment Setting Providers who contract with us are required to implement privacy policies that address the disclosure of medical information, patient access to medical information, and the storage/protection of medical information. BCBSD reviews provider confidentiality processes during pre-contractual site visits for primary care physicians and thereafter on a periodic basis. Changes to this Internet Privacy Statement This Internet Privacy Statement is effective as of December 10, 2004. BCBSD may change this statement periodically without notice. Changes to our Internet Privacy Statement will be noted here so that you can be informed about the privacy protections we employ. This statement does not create any contractual or other legal rights in or on behalf of any party. On December 10, 2004, we changed this statement to:
Questions or Complaints If you have additional questions about how BCBSD protects your personal, financial and medical information, please call the BCBSD Privacy Office at 302-421-3108 or 1-866-568-3790 (toll free). You have the right to file a complaint if you feel that BCBSD and its employees or providers have violated your privacy or the confidentiality of your personal information. Please address your complaint to: Privacy Office You may also file a complaint with the United States Department of Health and Human Services. We will provide contact information for HHS upon request. |