“HIPAA” stands for the Health Insurance and Portability Act
of 1996. It provides guidelines for safeguarding the use and disclosure of
individually identifiable health information and places certain requirements on
“covered entities” that use or disclose protected health information (PHI).
Covered entities are identified under the HIPAA regulation as health care plans,
health care providers, and health care clearinghouses. In general, the HIPAA
Privacy Rule mandates that a covered entity not use or disclose PHI except as
authorized by the individual who is the subject of the information and or as
explicitly required or permitted by the HIPAA regulations. If you have visited
a doctor’s office or medical facility since the enactment of HIPAA, you are
familiar with receiving information regarding the safeguard of your personal
health information, and an acknowledgement form that designated who else, if
anyone, may be aware of this information.
Gannon University is not a "covered entity" under HIPAA
but a "hybrid entity"; with Gannon University's Health Plan considered a
"covered entity". The health plan includes health and vision coverage
provided through Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Dental coverage provided
through Benefit Administrators, Inc. What this means to you is that
if you are a member of the health plan, the plan will maintain the privacy of
your protected health information.
Your personal health information is further protected by
the use of our third party plan administrator, C. H. Reams & Associates. Reams
& Assoc. is governed under an agreement with Gannon's Health Plan and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield,
your health care provider; as well as BAI your dental insurance provider, to safeguard your information. If there are any
questions regarding health services you are directed either to Highmark or BAI (at the
number on your card), or, if you need further assistance to Reams & Assoc. at
453-4357. University officials do not have access to your health care
information covered under the health plan.
If you are injured on the job your care would fall under
workers compensation insurance, and in this case the health information related
to the worker's compensation claim is
available to designated university officials on a need to know basis. This is
outside of HIPAA.
COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated you may file a complaint
with the Privacy Official in Human Resources. To request information please
contact the person named below. To file a complaint please submit a written
statement to: HIPAA Privacy Official, Human Resources. You will not be
retaliated against for filing a complaint.
CONTACT PERSON
If you have any questions regarding HIPAA compliance, please contact:
Jay DiFrank
Associate Director
Human Resources
Gannon University
Follow this link to
the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
