Privacy Notice

YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This notice explains your rights and our responsibilities to you. Please review this notice carefully. This notice applies to all medical claim and health information maintained by the Claims Administrator, A.W. Rehn & Associates:

A.W. Rehn & Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 5433
Spokane, WA 99205-0433
1-800-VEBA101 (832-2101) or (509) 534-0600

Get a copy of health and claims records

You can ask to see or get a copy of your health and claims records and other health information we have about you. Contact the Claim Administrator to find out how to do this.
We will provide a copy or summary of your health and claims records, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

Ask us to correct health and claims records

You can ask us to correct your health and claims records if you think they are incorrect or incomplete. Contact the Claim Administrator to find out how to do this.
We may say "no" to your request, but we will tell you why in writing within 60 days.

Request confidential communications

You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or cell 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.

Ask us to limit what we use or share

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, or if we believe sharing your information is necessary to lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety.

Get a list of those with whom we've shared information

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 disclosures except those about treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you ask us to make). We'll provide one accounting a year for free but may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.

Get a copy of the privacy notice

You can ask for a paper copy of the privacy notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. Contact the Claim Administrator to request a paper copy.

Choose someone to act for you

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.

File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated

You can file a complaint by contacting the Claim Administrator.
You can file a complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/

HOW DO WE TYPICALLY USE OR SHARE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION?

We typically use or share your health information in the following ways:

1. Help manage the health care treatment you receive

We can use your health information and share it with professionals treating you.
Example: A doctor requests information about your coverage from us so he can arrange additional services.

2. Run our organization

We can use and disclose your information to run our organization and contact you when necessary.
- Example: We use health information about you to develop better services for you.
We will never share your information for marketing purposes unless you give us written permission to do so.
We will never sell your personal health information.
We are not allowed to use genetic information to decide whether we will give you coverage or to set the price of that coverage.

3. Pay for your health services

We can use and disclose your health information as we pay for your health services.
Example: We share information about you with your health insurer to coordinate reimbursement for your health or dental insurance.

4. Administer your plan

We may disclose your health information for plan administration.
Example: The Health Care and Benefits Division exchanges your personal health information with the Claim Administrator to answer your appeal if your claim was denied and you submit an appeal to the Claim Administrator for that denial.

5. Help with public health and safety issues

We can share health information about you for certain situations such as:

Preventing disease
Helping with product recalls
Reporting adverse reactions to medications
Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
Preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone's health or safety

6. Do research

We can use or share your information for health research.

7. Comply with the law

We will share information about you if state or federal laws require that we disclose your personal health information to determine our compliance with state or federal privacy laws.

8. Respond to organ and tissue donation requests and work with a medical examiner or funeral director

We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.
We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when a participant dies.

9. Address workers' compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests

We can use or share health information about you:

For workers compensation claims
For law enforcement purposes or with a law enforcement official
With certain health oversight agencies authorized by law
For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential protective services

10. Respond to lawsuits and legal actions

We can share health information about you to respond to a court or administrative order, or to a subpoena for information.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOU

We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time as long as you tell us in writing that you have changed your mind.

CHANGES TO THE TERMS OF THIS NOTICE

We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, on the Claim Administrator's website, and we will mail a copy to you.