Skip to main content

Health Data Permissions and Privacy

Health data permissions and privacy

 

Resources on privacy and security

 

Some members have the right to tell Aetna to release some of their health data to third-party apps. 

 

Here are some educational materials. You can use them to help decide who to share your health data with.

 

Learn about the payer to payer data exchange

 

Protect the privacy and security of your health data

 

Take care when choosing which apps you share your health data with. Health data can be very sensitive. We don’t control how third-party apps use or share your health data. We don’t review third-party apps or their privacy and security standards for your health data.

 

We recommend choosing apps with strong privacy and security standards. Always read apps’ terms of use first. They should have an easy-to-read and find privacy policy. This should tell you how they plan to use your data. Some apps may share your health data with other third parties. If they don’t have a privacy policy, think again about using the app.

 

Things to think about when choosing a third-party app to receive your health data

 

You want to make sure an app’s privacy policy answers these questions.

 

  • What health data will this app collect?
  • Will this app collect non-health data from my phone, such as my location?
  • Will this app store my data in a de-identified or anonymized form?
  • How will this app use my data?
  • Will this app share my data with other third parties?
  • Will this app sell my data for any reason, such as advertising or research?
  • Will this app share my data for any reason? If so, with whom? For what purpose?
  • How can I limit this app’s use and disclosure of my data?
  • What security measures does this app use to protect my data?
  • What impact does sharing my data with this app have on others? Does this impact my family members?
  • How can I access my data and correct wrong info saved by this app?
  • Does this app have a process for collecting and responding to user complaints?
  • If I no longer want to use this app, or if I no longer want this app to have access to my health information, how do I stop the app from getting my data?
  • What is the app’s policy for removing my data once I end access?
  • Do I have to do more than just delete the app from my device?
  • How does this app tell users about changes that could affect its privacy practices?

 

What is HIPAA?

 

  • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law. One part of it helps protect personal health information. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, and the Patient Safety Act and Rule.
  • You can find HIPAA FAQs for individuals from HHS

 

Who must follow HIPAA?

 

“Covered entities” must follow HIPAA rules. This can include:

  • Health plans:
    • ­   Health insurance companies
    • ­   Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
    • ­   Company health plans
    • ­   Certain government programs that pay for health care, like Medicare and Medicaid
  • Many health care providers that do business electronically. For example, if they bill your health insurance electronically. This can include:
    • Doctors
    • Health clinics
    • Hospitals
    • Psychologists
    • Chiropractors
    • Nursing homes
    • Pharmacies
    • Dentists
  • Health care clearinghouses

 

“Business associates” who provide certain services for covered entities must follow parts of the HIPAA rules. This can include:

 

  • Billing companies
  • Health care claims processors
  • Companies that store or destroy medical records
  • Those that help administer health plans

 

Many entities that have your health info don’t need to follow HIPAA rules. These may include:

 

  • Life insurers
  • Employers
  • Workers compensation carriers
  • Schools and school districts
  • State agencies
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • Municipal offices

 

You can find more info from HHS about patient rights under HIPAA and who must follow HIPAA 

 

Do third-party apps have to follow HIPAA rules?

 

HIPAA doesn’t cover most third-party apps. Instead, the apps fall under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the protections of the FTC Act. The act protects against deceptive acts. For example, if an app shares personal data without your permission, despite having a privacy policy that says it will not do so.

 

You can read more from the FTC about mobile app privacy and security

 

How do I file a HIPAA privacy complaint?

 

If you think your HIPAA privacy rights were violated, you have options:

 

  • Call us toll-free at the Member Services number on your member ID card.
  • Write the Aetna Privacy Office at the address below:

 

HIPAA Member Rights Team

Aetna Inc.

P.O. Box 14079

Lexington, KY 40512-4079

 

 

File a complaint if you think an app has misused your data.

 

 

Your language, your format


You need to understand your rights when it comes to appeals and grievances. Do you need information in another language? Just call us at 1-833-711-0773 (TTY: 711) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. We’ll share this information in your primary language. You can also get information other formats, like large print or braille.

 

Spanish

Para ayudarle a comprender este aviso, se encuentran disponibles a pedido asistencia lingüística, servicios de interpretación, ayudas auxiliares y otros servicios sin costo alguno. Los servicios disponibles incluyen, entre otros: traducción oral, traducción escrita y ayudas auxiliares. Puede solicitar estos servicios o ayudas auxiliares llamando a Aetna al 1-833-711-0773; las personas con discapacidad auditiva pueden llamar al TTY 711.

 

Nepali

यो सूचना बुझ्न सहायता गनन, भाषा सहायता, व्याख्या सेवा, र सहायक उपकरण तथा सेवा तपाईंको अनुरोधमा ननिःशुल्क रूपमा उपलब्ध छन्। उपलब्ध सेवाहरूमा मौखिक अनुवाद, ललखित अनुवाद, र सहायक उपकरणहरू समावेश छन्, तर नयनीसँग मात्र सीलमत छैन। तपाईंले Aetna मा 1-833-711-0773 मा फोन गरेर यी सेवा र/वा सहायक सहायता अनुरोध गनन सक्नुहुन्छ; श्रवणशक्क्त कमजोर भएका व्यक्क्तले TTY 711 मा फोन गनन सक्छन्।

 

Arabic

لمساعدتك في فهم هذا الإخطار، تتوفر خدمات المساعدة اللغوية وخدمات الترجمة الفورية والمساعدات الإضافية عند الطلب دون أي تكلفة. تشمل الخدمات المتاحة، على سبيل المثال لا الحصر: الترجمة الشفوية والترجمة التحريرية والمساعدات الإضافية. يمكنك طلب هذه الخدمات أو المساعدات الإضافية أو كلتيهما عن طريق الاتصال بـ Aetna على الرقم التالي 0773-711-833-1؛ وبوسع الأفراد الذين يعانون من ضعف السمع الاتصال بخدمة الهاتف النصي على الرقم التالي 1-1-7.

 

Haitian French Creole

Pou ede w konprann avi sa a, gen asistans lengwistik, sèvis entèpretasyon, èd oksilyè ak sèvis ki disponib gratis, lè ou fè demann pou sa. Sèvis ki disponib yo gen ladan yo, men se pa sa sèlman: tradiksyon oral, tradiksyon alekri ak èd oksilyè. Ou kapab mande sèvis sa yo ak/oswa èd oksilyè lè w rele Aetna nan 1-833-711-0773; moun ki gen pwoblèm tande yo ka rele TTY 711.

 

Somali

Si lagaaga caawiyo inaad fahanto ogaysiiskan, kaalmada luqadda, adeegyada tarjumaada, iyo kaalmooyinka iyo adeegyada ayaa la heli karaa marka la codsado lacag la'aan adiga. Adeegyada la heli karo waxaa ka mid ah, laakiin aan ku xaddidnayn: tarjumaada afka, turjumaadda qoran, iyo qalabyada caawinta. Waxaad codsan kartaa adeegyadan iyo/ama kaalmaynta caawimada adiga oo wacaya Aetna 1-833-711-0773; Shakhsiyaadka maqalka liidata waxay wici karaan TTY 711.

 

Ukrainian

Щоб допомогти вам зрозуміти зміст цього повідомлення, за запитом ви можете отримати безоплатну мовну допомогу, послуги усного перекладу, а також допоміжне обладнання та додаткові послуги. Доступні послуги включають, зокрема, усний переклад, письмовий переклад і допоміжне обладнання. Ви можете замовити ці послуги та/або допоміжне обладнання, зателефонувавши на лінію Aetna за номером 1-833-711-0773; для людей із вадами слуху працює номер TTY 711.

 

Russian

Чтобы помочь вам понять смысл этого уведомления, по запросу вы можете получить бесплатную языковую помощь, услуги устного перевода, а также вспомогательное оборудование и дополнительные услуги. Доступные услуги включают, в частности, устный перевод, письменный перевод и вспомогательное оборудование. Вы можете запросить эти услуги и/или вспомогательное оборудование, позвонив на линию Aetna по номеру 1-833-711-0773; для людей с нарушениями слуха предусмотрен номер TTY 711.

 

Swahili

Ili kukusaidia kuelewa notisi hii, usaidizi wa lugha, huduma za ukalimani, na visaidizi na huduma za ziada zinapatikana unapoomba bila gharama kwako. Huduma zinazopatikana ni pamoja na, lakini sio tu: tafsiri ya mdomo, tafsiri ya maandishi, na visaidizi vya ziada. Unaweza kuomba huduma hizi na/au visaidizi kwa kupiga simu Aetna 1-833-711-0773; watu walio na ulemavu wa kusikia wanaweza kupiga simu TTY 711.

 

Kinyarwanda

Kugira ngo tugufashe gusobanukirwa iri tangazo, ubufasha bujyanye n'indimi, serivisi z'ubusemuzi, n'ibikoresho na servisi bifasha abafite ubumuga mu kumva biraboneka nta kiguzi utanze iyo ubisabye. Serivisi ziboneka zikubiyemo, ariko si gusa: ubusemuzi mu mvugo, ubusemuzi mu nyandiko, n'ibikoresho bifasha abafite ubumuga mu kumva. Ushobora gusaba izi serivisi na/cyangwa ibikoresho bifasha abafite ubumuga mu kumva binyuze mu guhamagara Aetna 1-833-711-0773; abantu bafite ibibazo mu kumva bashobora guhamagara TTY 711

 

French

Pour vous aider à comprendre cet avis, une assistance linguistique, des services d'interprétation et des aides et services auxiliaires sont disponibles sur demande et sans frais. Les services disponibles comprennent, sans toutefois s’y limiter, la traduction orale, la traduction écrite et les aides auxiliaires. Vous pouvez demander ces services et/ou ces aides auxiliaires en appelant Aetna au 1-833-711-0773 ; les personnes malentendantes peuvent appeler le TTY 711.

 

Pashtu

ستاسو په دې خبرتيا د ښه درک کولو (پوهیدو) لپاره، د ژبې مرستې، د شفاهي ژباړې خدمتونه، او اضافي مرستندويه وسایل او خدمتونه ستاسو د غوښتنې پر بنسټ بې‌ لګښته شتون لري. په شته خدماتو کې شفاهي ژباړه، په ليکلې بڼه ژباړه، او مرستندويه وسايل شامل دي، خو يوازې په دې پورې محدود نه دي. تاسو کولی شئ د دې خدماتو او/یا مرستندویه وسايلو غوښتنه Aetna ته په 1-833-711-0773 شمېره د زنګ وهلو له لارې وکړئ؛ هغه کسان چې د اورېدلو کمزورتیا لري کولی شي TTY 711 ته زنګ ووهي.

 

Dari

برای کمک به شما در درک این اطلاعیه، کمک‌ های زبانی، خدمات ترجمه شفاهی و کمک‌ ها و خدمات اضافی بر اساس درخواست شما بطور رایگان برای شما ارائه می‌ گردد. خدمات موجود شامل موارد ذیل میباشد، اما محدود به آنها نیست: ترجمه شفاهی، ترجمه کتبی و وسایل کمکی. شما می‌توانید این خدمات و/یا وسایل کمکی را با تماس با Aetna از طریق 1-833-711-0773 درخواست دهید، افراد دارای اختلال شنوایی می‌توانند با شماره TTY 711 تماس بگیرند.

 

Uzbek

Bu bildirishnomani tushunishingizga yordam berish uchun so‘rovingiz asosida bepul til yordamchi xizmatlari, og‘zaki tarjima xizmatlari va qo‘shimcha yordamchi vositalar taqdim etiladi. Mavjud xizmatlar qatoriga og‘zaki tarjima, yozma tarjima hamda yordamchi vositalar kiradi. Siz ushbu xizmatlar va/yoki qo‘shimcha yordamni Aetna dasturining 1-833-711-0773 raqamiga qo‘ng‘iroq qilib so‘rashingiz mumkin; Eshitish qobiliyati cheklangan shaxslar TTY 711 raqami orqali bog‘lanishlari mumkin.

 

Vietnamese

Để giúp bạn hiểu thông báo này, hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ, dịch vụ phiên dịch, phương tiện trợ giúp và dịch vụ phụ trợ được cung cấp miễn phí theo yêu cầu. Các dịch vụ có sẵn bao gồm, nhưng không giới hạn ở: dịch bằng lời nói, dịch bằng văn bản và phương tiện phụ trợ. Bạn có thể yêu cầu các dịch vụ và/hoặc phương tiện phụ trợ này bằng cách gọi cho Aetna theo số 1-833-711-0773; người khiếm thính có thể gọi TTY 711.

 

Tigrinya

ነዚ ምልክታ ክትርደእዎ ንኽሕግዘኩም፣ ሓገዝ ቋንቋ፣ ኣገልግሎታት ትርጉም፣ ከምኡ'ውን ተወሰኽቲ ሓገዛትን ኣገልግሎታትን ኣብ ዝሓተትክምዎ ብዘይ ክፍሊት ይርከቡ። ዘለው ኣገልግሎታት፣ ናይ ዘረባ ትርጉም፣ ናይ ጽሑፍ ትርጉምን ተወሰኽቲ ሓገዛትን ዘጠቓልሉ ኮይኖም፣ በዚ ጥራሕ ዝድረቱ ኣይኮኑን። ናብ Aetna 1-833-711-0773 ብምድዋል፣ ነዞም ኣገልግሎታትን/ወይ ተወሰኽቲ ሓገዛት ክትሓቱ ትኽእሉ ኢኹም፤ ናይ ምስማዕ ጸገም ዘለዎም ውልቀ-ሰባት ናብ TTY 711 ክድውሉ ይኽእሉ እዮም።

Also of interest: