Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Privacy
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is committed to protecting the privacy of our members’ personal health information. Part of that commitment is complying with the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which requires us to take additional measures to protect personal information and to inform our members about those measures. The Notice of Privacy Practices describes how Independence may use and disclose a member's personal health information and how a member of an Independence health plan can get access to this information. The Notice of Privacy Practices was recently updated to reflect the manner in which your health information is shared via secure electronic data sharing networks called Health Information Exchanges. You can also call to request a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices by contacting Customer Service at the number on the back of your ID card.
Notice of privacy practices
Our notice of privacy practices describes how Independence may use and disclose a member’s personal health information and how a member of an Independence health plan can get access to this information.
- For Independence health plan members (including: Keystone Health Plan East, Personal Choice, Traditional Indemnity)
- For Independence Medicare health plan members (including: Keystone 65 HMO and Personal Choice 65SM PPO)
- For Federal Employee Service Benefits Plan members
- Long Term Care Program members
HIPAA privacy forms
- Authorization Form — to be used by members to authorize Independence to release member health information.
- Personal Representative Form — to be used by members who wish to appoint another person as member’s personal representative.
General HIPAA information
- HIPAA compliance
- Privacy Guide for our group customers and business partners
HIPAA transactions for providers
For information about HIPAA compliant transactions, visit the Provider Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) section.
HIPAA inquiries
If you have questions or comments regarding HIPAA, please contact:
- HIPAA Privacy: submit an email
- HIPAA Security: submit an email
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.