Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)


-	Health Plan Notice of Privacy Practices

-	What is HIPAA?

-	HIPAA FAQs

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HIPAA FAQs

The U.S. Congress enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 for 2 basic reasons:

How do I contact Conseco regarding HIPAA EDI transactions?

What does HIPAA stand for?

What is HIPAA?

How is Conseco defined under HIPAA?

What is an Affiliated Covered Entity (ACE)?

What member companies under Conseco are part of the ACE?

What is Protected Health Information (PHI)?

How do you use my Protected Health Information (PHI)?

Who do you share my Protected Health Information (PHI) with?

Don't I have to give my permission before you can use my information?

What are my rights under HIPAA?

What is a covered entity under HIPAA?

Who must comply with HIPAA regulations?

What is a health plan under HIPAA?

What is not considered a health plan under HIPAA?

What is a health care provider under HIPAA?

What is a health care clearinghouse under HIPAA?

Where do I write if I have any questions or require assistance regarding this notice?

Who can I call if I need to speak with someone regarding this notice?

Where can I obtain a copy of the Health Plan Notice of Privacy Practices?

How do I contact Conseco regarding HIPAA EDI transactions?

If you wish to establish a direct electronic trading relationship with us, we encourage you to contact us to begin the enrollment process and testing for the transaction sets you wish to trade with our insurance entities. To begin this process you may contact:

Conseco Insurance Companies
EDI Enrollment - 9U68
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654-2001
Shawn_Dillon-Falk@Conseco.com (312) 396-7691
Or
Andrea_Baker@Conseco.com (312) 396-7691

What does HIPAA stand for?

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

What is HIPAA?

The U.S. Congress enacted HIPAA for 2 basic reasons:

The "P" (Portability) in HIPAA became effective several years ago and has already been implemented. This provision gives certain protections to individuals when they change health care coverage; and
To provide accountability. The regulations under the first "A" in HIPAA are intended to provide administrative simplification which will result in cost savings efficiencies, and to protect the privacy and security of an individual's health information. Conseco is in the process of implementing the regulations under this part of HIPAA.

How is Conseco defined under HIPAA?

Under HIPAA, Conseco is defined as an Affiliated Covered Entity (ACE).

What is an Affiliated Covered Entity (ACE)?

An ACE is a designation of multiple health plans under common ownership or common control.

What member companies under Conseco are part of the ACE?

Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company, Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Bankers Life Insurance Company of Illinois, Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Conseco Health Insurance Company, Conseco Insurance Company, a life and health insurance company , Conseco Life Insurance Company, Conseco Senior Health Insurance Company, and Washington National Insurance Company.
Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company (formerly Conseco Life Insurance Company of New York) is the only company listed above that is licensed in or solicits business in the state of New York.

What is Protected Health Information (PHI)?

PHI is any health information that is created, maintained, transferred, or received by a covered entity that can be used to identify an individual, or reasonably could be used to identify an individual.

How do you use my Protected Health Information (PHI)?

We use it to help pay your medical bills and to conduct routine business operations.

Who do you share my Protected Health Information (PHI) with?

We may share your information with your spouse, your representative including family members, friends, and others involved in your care or in the payment of your claims. Also any employee benefit plan sponsors that you may be receiving other health benefits from. Information is only shared after the request has been verified, based on guidance provided through the HIPAA regulations. We may also share you information in a number of ways explained in our Health Plan Notice of Privacy Practices.

Don't I have to give my permission before you can use my information?

We are permitted to use and/or disclose your information to underwrite your policy, pay a claim, or perform operation functions, and a number of other reasons as described in our Health Plan Notice of Privacy Practices without getting your permission. To use your information for any other reasons, we must obtain your permission through asking for your signature on an authorization that meets the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

What are my rights under HIPAA?

The rights provided to you are more fully explained in our Health Plan Notice of Privacy Practices. They include your right to:

	Review or obtain a copy of certain information we have in our records about you
	Request an amendments to the information we have in our records about you
	Request an accounting if certain disclosures of information we have made
	Request restrictions on how we use and/or disclose certain of the information we have about you
	Request that we communicate with you by alternative means in certain circumstances.
	Right to the paper copy of the notice
	How to file Complaints

What is a covered entity under HIPAA?

A covered entity is any health care provider that accepts and transmits health care information electronically, any health plan, and any health care clearinghouse.

Who must comply with HIPAA regulations?

Covered entities must comply with HIPAA regulations.

What is a health plan under HIPAA?

A health plan may be an individual or group health plan that provides or pays for the cost of medical care. Such health plans include major medical, basic medical, long-term care, Medicare supplement, vision, dental, specified disease such as cancer, hospital indemnity, and intensive care.

What is not considered a health plan under HIPAA?

Examples of plans not covered under HIPAA include: accident only, disability income insurance, life insurance, and annuities.

What is a health care provider under HIPAA?

Health care providers are doctors, hospitals and providers of health care services that transfer health information electronically.

What is a health care clearinghouse under HIPAA?

Health care clearinghouses are companies that provide services such as assisting in processing of electronic transactions for claims status, claim submission, or premium payment in HIPAA compliant format.

Where do I write if I have any questions or require assistance regarding this notice:

You can contact our Privacy Office by writing to:

P.O. Box 1916
Carmel, IN 46082-1916
(800) 783-7720

Who can I call if I need to speak with someone regarding this notice?

You can speak with a representative at Conseco Insurance Group by calling: (800) 783-7720

Where can I obtain a copy of the Health Plan Notice of Privacy Practices?

You can view a copy of the notice on the internet at www.conseco.com. You may obtain paper copy by contacting us at the address or telephone number given above and we will mail you a copy.


	The content associated with this site is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as legal advise. Conseco encourages you to consult your professional and legal counselors for guidance on HIPAA and how it impacts you.