Manage Who Can Access Your Health Data

Insurance companies, like BCBSIL, share your health data with your doctors to help you get the best, most effective care possible. Under HIPAA, doctors and health insurance companies can share medical records for billing needs and treatment details without getting member consent.

When your doctor has access to health data like past claims and prior authorization approvals, medical and prescription history and specialist visits, it helps with:

• Better care coordination: Doctors who know which tests or procedures you've gone through, what care options worked best and which specialists you've seen have a better view of all your care needs.
• Stronger quality care: Sharing health data can help doctors avoid running tests you've already had, look out for prescription interactions and understand the treatment options that have worked best for you.

This year, there's a new rule that says health insurers have to build systems that keep your data safe and share it the right way. BCBSIL doesn't just give you a choice because it's a rule; by not sharing your data until you opt in, it's putting your private data in your control.

Opt in to share your data or update your choice through the Aplicación de BCBSIL or by calling the number on your member ID card:

• You won't need to opt in to share your health data with your doctors.
• You will need to opt in before your data's shared with outside apps or other health plans. If you don't opt in, your health data won't be shared.
• Some data could still be shared without opting in when laws allow it. For instance, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) some data could be shared for for treatment, payment or other health care operations.

If you have more than one health insurance plan with BCBSIL or switch plans, you only have to opt in or out one time. Your choice will carry over to all plans until you make an update.

How your data is used or stored once you share it is the choice of the app or insurer you share it with. We won't have control over your data after it's shared outside BCBSIL. Third-party apps or other insurers can store or share your data based on their own rules or terms of service.

It's important to always check privacy and security rules carefully before you agree to share your data.

Yes, BCBSIL makes it a priority to protect your health and personal data. We follow a process meant to be as safe and secure as possible. Here are just a few ways we're working hard to keep your data safe:

• You must fill out a form to let BCBSIL share your data with an app developer. 
• Your BCBSIL plan must follow HIPAA. Most health plans, payers, and doctors (like hospitals, doctors, clinics and dentists) must also follow health privacy laws. Learn more about your HIPAA rights.

Understand how the creators and owners of mobile apps protect your data:

• Most apps are overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and must follow the FTC Act. BCBSIL is not at fault for actions or data breaches by a third-party app. Explore mobile app privacy and security tips.
• You can make a complaint to Office of Civil Rights (OTC) o FTC about an App. Do this if you think an app used, shared, or sold your private data in the wrong way or not as stated in its privacy rules. 

If you have questions or would like to file a plan-specific complaint, call the number on your member ID card. 

You'll be notified or have to take action about your health plan data:

• When you first make your choice to opt in or opt out
• At least once a year about your rights and choices; you don't need to act on these reminders unless you want to change your choices.

Your data will start to be shared 24 hours after your choice to opt in is received by BCBSIL.

Yes. You can:

• Opt out at any time
• Opt back in later
• Update your choices whenever you want

Your choices stay the same unless you change your preferences in the Aplicación de BCBSIL o llamar al número que figura en la tarjeta de asegurado.

When your provider logs in to the Consent Management Portal, they automatically have access to your health data unless you opt out:

• Doctors you've visited can see your health data information.
• Your data is shared in a safe way, usually within 1 business day.
• This helps doctors make faster, better choices about your health.

You have the option to opt out of providers having your claims data. If you opt out:

• Your data won't be shared with any doctors through this system.
• This is an "all-or-nothing" choice. If you opt in, your choice will apply to all your doctors.

A confidential communication request (CCR) is a rule you can set up with BCBSIL to better control who sees your medical information and insurance papers. If you have a CCR in place, any mail that includes health data won't be sent to your home address. Instead, we'll use the address, phone number or email you choose.

If you have a CCR on file that limits the sharing of your personal health information (PHI):

• We won't share your health data outside of BCBSIL.
• You don't need to contact us to keep your data private; with a CCR, you've already opted out of any data sharing.

If you want us to share your health data outside BCBSIL, you'll need to cancel your CCR first.

A personal representative is someone you designate to make manage and make decisions about your health care and health insurance. In the case of your health data, your personal representative can call BCBSIL to opt in our out of sharing your health data with doctors, other insurers or third-party apps.