a. Treatment, which means providing, coordinating or managing health care and related services. An example would be referral management. b. Payment, which are activities such as obtaining reimbursement for services, confirming coverage, billing or collection activities and utilization review. An example for this would be helping a physician office obtain reimbursement for services. c. Health care operations includes the business aspects of health care such as conducting quality assessment and improvement activities, auditing functions, cost management analysis and customer service. An example of this would be preparing your medical chart for an upcoming office visit.
2. Minnesota Healthcare Network is permitted or required, under specific circumstances, to use or disclose protected health information without the individual’s written authorization.
3. Other uses and disclosures will be made only with the Individual's written authorization, and the individual may revoke such authorization.
4. Minnesota Healthcare Network intends to engage in one or more of the following activities:
a. Minnesota Healthcare Network may create and share with its doctors aggregate health information by removing all references to individually identifiable health information. b. Minnesota Healthcare Network may contact the individual to provide case management services upon the request of a physician. c. Minnesota Healthcare Network may disclose protected health information to the sponsor of a plan, such as a group health plan, a health insurance company or HMO.
5. The individual has the following rights regarding protected health information:
a. The right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information. Minnesota Healthcare Network is not required to agree to a requested restriction, however. b. The right to receive confidential communications of protected health information, as applicable. c. The right to inspect and copy protected health information, as provided in the Privacy Regulation. d. The right to amend protected health information, as provided in the Privacy Regulation. e. The right to receive an accounting of disclosures of protected health information. f. The right to obtain a paper copy of the Notice from the covered entity upon request. This right extends to an individual who has agreed to receive the Notice electronically.
6. Minnesota Healthcare Network is required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information and to provide individuals with notice of its legal duties and Privacy practices with respect to protected health information.
7. Minnesota Healthcare Network is required to abide by the terms of the Notice currently in effect.
8. Minnesota Healthcare Network reserves the right to change the terms of this Notice. The new Notice provisions will be effective for all protected health information that it maintains.
9. Minnesota Healthcare Network will provide individuals or patients with a revised Notice by posting it on the Minnesota Healthcare Network web site.
10. Individuals may complain to Minnesota Healthcare Network and to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, without fear of retaliation by the organization, if they believe their privacy rights have been violated. A brief description of how the individual may file a complaint follows: Submit a typewritten, signed complaint addressed to the Privacy Officer at Minnesota Healthcare Network (contact information below) and/or to the US Department of Health & Human Services; Office of Civil Rights; 200 Independence Ave SW; Washington, DC 20201; Toll Free 1-877-696-6775.
11. Minnesota Healthcare Network’s contact person for matters relating to complaints is:
a. Privacy Officer b. (952) 883-3150 c. 7900 International Drive, Suite 1080, Bloomington, MN 55425-1510
