HIPAA compliance

Privacy

Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is compliant with the privacy rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and has implemented policies and procedures necessary to protect the privacy of our members’ personal health information.

Administrative simplification

HIPAA also requires that all payers be capable of performing transactions electronically if requested by providers, groups, or insurance companies; and that transactions must use a standard HIPAA-compliant format with regard to file formats, codes, identification numbers, etc. Examples of transactions that fall under these regulations include enrollment records, eligibility information, premium payments, claims submissions, and claims status.

IBX completed all internal system changes and processes to accept and handle the required electronic transactions.

Security

The HIPAA regulations also include a security rule. Effective on April 21, 2005, the security rule set the standard to ensure the privacy of electronic protected health information. IBX has implemented the requirements of the rule and continually monitors and manages the required security controls. IBX continues to implement new technologies that improve the security of infrastructure beyond the requirements of the HIPAA security regulation.

For more information, contact the Privacy and Security Office.

Y0041_HM_112572_2023 Website last updated 4/27/2023

Independence Blue Cross offers Medicare Advantage plans with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Independence Medicare Advantage plans depends on contract renewal. Independence Blue Cross offers products through its subsidiaries Independence Hospital Indemnity Plan, Keystone Health Plan East and QCC Insurance Company — independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

For individuals covered by their group health plan by self-funded plan sponsors, for which Independence provides administrative services, the plan sponsor is responsible for, and will provide, the notice of privacy practices that the plan sponsor maintains in accordance with 45 C.F.R. § 164.520, as well as any changes to that notice, including that its content accurately reflects the plan sponsor's privacy policies, procedures and practices.