What are The Empire Plan confidentiality practices?
A. Under the federal privacy regulations relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), health plans such as The Empire Plan are required to protect the confidentiality of Protected Health Information (PHI). PHI is individually identifiable health information related to your physical and mental health or condition, health care services provided to you, or payments made for your care, which is created or received by a health plan, a health care clearinghouse, or a health care provider that electronically transmits such information. Details are outlined in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) Notice of Privacy Practices, effective beginning April 14, 2003.
