In April 2003, the regulations implementing the privacy sections in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) went into effect. This legislation concerns your rights as a consumer and the health care privacy practices that protect your rights. It affects not only how your personal medical information is handled, but also how you and your confidential information are treated when working with your health care professionals and your health insurance carrier.
If you were a member of the Service Benefit Plan in April 2003, you were mailed a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) that discusses the rights you have under the HIPAA legislation. If you became a member after April 2003, then a Notice was mailed to you as part of the enrollment confirmation process.
The federal HIPAA requirements include that we remind you periodically about the NPP. A copy is available for you to review any time by visiting www.fepblue.org and viewing the HIPAA section. You can also learn more about HIPAA in this section on our web site.
If you do not have Internet access or would prefer to receive a hard copy, please contact your local Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan at the number on the back of your ID card and they will be happy to mail you a copy.