Privacy

Information may be collected in the following ways on this website and application:

• If we provide user account access, you may elect to establish an account so that you can gain additional access to online service applications, health tools, health information, subscriptions, or other services where it is important for us to know who you are in order to best meet your needs. Providing personal information is always voluntary.
• We may use “cookies” and/or other web trackers to help us improve this website and application by tracking your navigation habits and to store some of your preferences. A cookie is a small file created by a website or application to store information on your computer. Cookies do not allow websites or applications to gain access to other information on your computer. Once a cookie is saved on your computer, generally only the website or application that created the cookie can read it.
• An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a number that automatically identifies the computer or mobile device that you are using to access the Internet. The IP address enables our server to send you the site pages that you want to visit or the data you want to view. The IP address may disclose the server owned by your Internet Service Provider. We use your IP address to help diagnose problems with our server and to support our administration of this website and application.

Any personal information that you provide is used for the purpose for which you provide it and to better improve or customize services being provided. For example, if you use location services to find a provider near your current location, your location is used only to facilitate that function. Or if you provide us with an email address, we will only use it in a manner consistent with your consent for us to do so.

Requesting or Signing Up to Receive Information:

By submitting your email address or other contact information, you are authorizing us to send you information and educational materials about health plan options and services available to you. This authorization is voluntary and your treatment, payment, enrollment or eligibility for benefits are not conditioned on providing this authorization. You have the right to withdraw this authorization and opt-out at any time by calling toll-free at 1-844-203-3796 to be put on internal Do Not Mail and/or Do Not Email lists. It may take up to 2 weeks to process your opt-out request once it is received. Opting-out will not affect any action taken before your opt-out request is processed. You are entitled to a copy of this authorization.

We may also gather quantitative user information, such as the number of users and the pages or data accessed, in order to perform administrative, technical, hosting or other functions that help us manage our website and Application and deliver new functionality to you. We do not sell, license, transmit or disclose personal information that you provide to us to third parties except with the following exceptions:

• Upon your authorization;
• When such disclosure is necessary to allow us and our contractors or agents to carry out treatment, payment or healthcare operations; or
• When required or permitted by law.

We may work with third party service providers who may place third party persistent cookies, web beacons, or similar technologies to collect anonymous information about the use of our websites and Applications. They are not permitted to collect any personal information, and this information will be solely used for web usage analysis for a better understanding of how you use our website Application, and/or to customize our content and advertising.

Providing personal information through this website or application is optional. Personally identifiable information will not be collected from you without your knowledge and approval. You will be told when your failure to provide information might affect your ability to enroll in or use a product or service.

If you do not wish to have your activity on our website or application tracked, at any time you can opt-out to discontinue first party cookie tracking of your web activity.

You also have the choice to opt-out of third-party cookies, web beacons or similar technologies. If you do not want third party service providers to collect your anonymous information for marketing purposes, visit the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) website to opt-out.

Additionally, you can direct your Internet browser to notify you and seek approval whenever a cookie is being sent to your hard drive. You may also delete a cookie manually from your computer, tablet or smartphone through your Internet browser settings or other programs. You can also set your browser to refuse all cookies. Please note that some parts of this website or application may not function properly or be available to you, if you refuse to accept a cookie or choose to disable the acceptance of cookies.

We do not respond to web browser “do not track” signals. As such, your navigation of our website and Application may be tracked as part of the gathering of quantitative user information described above. If you arrive at our website or Application by way of a link from a third-party application that does respond to “do not track” requests, the recognition of any “do not track” request you have initiated will end as soon as you reach our website or application.

We may provide email and fax links to further facilitate communication for our members and their designees and caregivers. Information collected through email may be shared with our Member Services department, other associates, or third parties that perform services on our behalf. Unless otherwise noted, email through our website or Application is not a completely secure and confidential means of communication. Non-encrypted email may be accessed and viewed by other Internet users without your knowledge and permission while in transit to us.

Also, if you request that we email or fax information about you to someone using the email and fax capabilities in this website or application, that email or fax may not be completely secure. Please verify email addresses and fax numbers carefully before submitting such a request.

These Texting Terms and Conditions apply when you provide prior express consent to receive text messages from Anthem or their affiliates, subsidiaries, agents, contractors, or vendors ("us" or "we" or "our'). Text messaging from us may include one-time or recurring texts related to your benefits, programs, products, services, and tools, and/or general health information. At enrollment for recurring texting programs, we specify the frequency of texts and information on how to unsubscribe and seek assistance. In all programs, you may text “STOP” to stop messaging for that program and "HELP" for help. Text messages will be sent to your mobile number using an automatic dialing system. Message and Data rates may apply.

Participation is optional. You are electing to receive PHI via text which makes the data transmitted available to your phone carrier and potentially others. Anthem provides alternative means for communicating including phone. You understand you have these choices and have elected to opt-in for texting. Anthem does not require that you agree to receive texts for this purpose to receive treatment, payment, or for benefits enrollment and eligibility.

If you no longer want to receive text messages from us, you will need to do this by ending enrollment in the specific texting program.

Under no circumstances will we be liable for any direct or indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising out of or in connection with use of text messaging whether or not we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

We do not guarantee the successful delivery of text messages by your wireless provider. Messages sent by text may not be delivered if the mobile device is not in range of a transmission site, or if sufficient network capacity is not available at a particular time. Even within a coverage area, factors beyond the control of wireless carriers may interfere with message delivery, including the terrain, proximity to buildings, foliage, weather, and the recipient's equipment. We will not be liable for losses or damages arising from (a) non-delivery, delayed delivery, or misdirected delivery of a text message; (b) inaccurate or incomplete content in a text message; or (c) use or reliance on the content of any text message for any purpose.

Please notify us immediately if your mobile number changes. We are not liable for any communication or transmission of information by text which happens because you did not report that your mobile number changed. Password-protecting mobile device(s) and enabling encryption, if available, is recommended.

Text messages may include protected health information (PHI). Since text messaging is unencrypted, there is a risk that this PHI could be intercepted or viewed by third parties, including others who access your device. When you choose to receive text messages from us, you do so at your own risk. Once texted, your information may no longer be regulated under HIPAA’s Privacy Rule.

From time to time we will provide links to websites or applications not owned or controlled by us. We do this because we think the information might be of interest or use to you. A link to a third-party website or application does not constitute or imply endorsement by us. We cannot guarantee the quality or accuracy of information presented on third party websites or applications. While we do our best to ensure your privacy, we cannot be responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or applications. We encourage you to review the privacy practices of any website or application you visit.

AB 1184 is a law that changes the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), which requires healthcare plans and providers to protect a member’s privacy.

The law bans healthcare plans and providers from sharing medical information related to certain sensitive services with anyone other than the member themselves without the member’s written permission. Notably, the law specifically protects the medical information of a minor member between the ages of 12 and 17 years old from being shared with the parent or legal guardian who holds the policy.

We know that limiting parents’ access to certain information about their children’s health care may be   inconvenient in some cases. However, we must follow the California law, which prioritizes the protection of children’s privacy in certain circumstances.

According to state law, a “protected individual” is:

• Any adult subscriber or member covered under a health plan or health insurance policy.
• A minor member (12 to 17 years old) who can agree to a healthcare service without the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

It’s important to note that “protected individual” does not include a person who lacks the capacity to give informed consent for care.

No, this regulation only includes minor members ages 12 to 17 years old who receive sensitive services.

California law classifies sensitive services as all healthcare services related to:

• Mental or behavioral health
• Sexual and reproductive health
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Substance use disorder
• Gender affirming care
• Intimate partner violence

Confidential communication includes:

• Bills and attempts to collect payment.
• A notice that we are not providing benefits because we believe they are not medically necessary, the member isn’t eligible for the benefits, or the care isn’t covered under their health plan.
• An explanation of benefits (EOB) notice.
• A request for more information about a claim.
• A notice of a contested claim.
• The name and address of a provider, description of services, and other information about a visit.
• Any written, oral, or electronic communication that contains protected health information. All communications about sensitive services should be directed to that member’s chosen mailing address, email address, or phone number.
  • If the protected individual has given an alternate mailing address, email address, or phone number, we are required to send or make all communications related to the sensitive services to that alternative mailing address, email address, or phone number.
  • If the protected individual has not given an alternate mailing address, email address, or phone number, we are required to name the protected individual on all communications related to the sensitive services and send to or call that individual at the address or phone number on file.

Subscribers, even those who are the parent or legal guardian of a minor member, can expect the following changes as we comply with this law:

• All items listed under “confidential communications” for a minor member’s sensitive service claims will now be addressed to the minor member.
• When viewing a claim through our digital channels, the minor member’s sensitive service claim will show as “Patient View Only".
• Member Services will not be able to answer questions about a minor member’s sensitive service claims without written authorization from the impacted member giving you permission to speak on their behalf.

For services to be in scope under AB 1184, the minor member between the ages of 12 and 17 must be able to give their own consent to care. California law does not allow minor consent on the following services:

• Inpatient behavioral health services and residential treatment
• Sterilization services
• Abortion when it is not related to an emergency situation
• Psychotropic medication(s)
• Convulsive therapy

To speak to a parent or legal guardian about a minor dependent’s sensitive service claim, we must have written permission from the minor member on file.

A minor member can fill out this form to allow the parent or legal guardian to speak to Member Services about their protected health information.

A minor member can fill out this form to permit the parent or legal guardian to speak to Member Services about their protected health information. The completed form will allow permission to the minor members sensitive service information.

In unique situations when written permission is not obtainable, we may be able to supply the requested information after getting more details from the parent or legal guardian. If you have questions or need support, contact Member Services by live chat or the phone number on your ID card.

The standard expiration of the form is three years or when the minor member turns 18 years old, whichever comes first. A minor member can also choose a set date that is less than three years or when they turn 18 years old.

The minor member must complete and sign the form.

The completed form can be submitted by:

• The subscriber/parent can log in to anthem.com/ca and send the form using the Message Center.
• Mailing the form to: Anthem Blue Cross P.O. Box 60007 Los Angeles, CA 90060–0007