This notice combines three required yearly communications
Anthem says it is required to send members, each year, specific information about their rights and some of its duties to help keep their information safe. This one notice combines three of those required yearly communications: a state notice of privacy practices, a HIPAA notice of privacy practices, and a notice about breast reconstruction surgery benefits.
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Notice of privacy practices
Each year, we’re required to send you specific information about your rights and some of our duties to help keep your information safe
This notice combines three of these required yearly communications:
State notice of privacy practices
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) notice of privacy practices
Breast reconstruction surgery benefits
Qualifications & exceptions
The notice is addressed to people who receive it from Anthem as members; the source text does not say which plans or states each part covers beyond what the later sections state.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment
Anthem follows state law, which is sometimes stricter than HIPAA
For the state notice, Anthem says that in handling health information it follows relevant state laws, which are sometimes stricter than the federal HIPAA privacy law. The state notice explains the member's rights and Anthem's duties under state law and applies to health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits the member may have.
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State notice of privacy practices
we follow relevant state laws, which are sometimes stricter than the federal HIPAA privacy law
Explains your rights and our duties under state law.
Applies to health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits you may have.
Qualifications & exceptions
The notice applies to those benefits only to the extent a member 'may have' them.
'Sometimes stricter' is the source's own limit: it does not say which state laws are stricter or in which respects.
Not stated here
The state notice does not name any state or state law.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment
Anthem keeps current and former members' information private as required
Anthem says it keeps the health and financial information of current and former members private as required by law, accreditation standards, and its own internal rules, and that federal law requires it to give this notice explaining members' rights and Anthem's legal duties and privacy practices.
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HIPAA notice of privacy practices
We keep the health and financial information of our current and former members private as required by law, accreditation standards, and our own internal rules.
We’re also required by federal law to give you this notice to explain your rights and our legal duties and privacy practices.
Qualifications & exceptions
The privacy commitment is framed as keeping information private 'as required by' law, accreditation standards and internal rules; later sections set out the uses and sharing the notice allows.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
The HIPAA notice describes use, disclosure and access for medical, vision and dental information
A capitalized statement at the head of the notice says that it describes how medical, vision and dental information about the member may be used and disclosed, and how the member can get access to that information, and asks the member to read it carefully.
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THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL, VISION, AND DENTAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED, AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
Qualifications & exceptions
This statement lists medical, vision and dental information; the state notice above separately lists life insurance benefits.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment
HIPAA does not cancel other laws; where a law gives more privacy protection, Anthem follows it too
Anthem says HIPAA generally does not cancel out other laws that give people greater privacy protections. If any state or federal privacy law requires Anthem to give more privacy protections, it must follow that law in addition to HIPAA.
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Potential impact of other applicable laws
HIPAA, the federal privacy law, generally doesn’t cancel out other laws that give people greater privacy protections.
if any state or federal privacy law requires us to give you more privacy protections, then we must follow that law in addition to HIPAA.
Qualifications & exceptions
'Generally' limits the statement about HIPAA not cancelling other laws.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · User right or choice
Substance use disorder information is covered by 42 CFR Part 2 and consent rules
As one example, Anthem says it may receive substance use disorder (SUD) information from providers or programs regulated by federal law (42 CFR Part 2). All disclosures of SUD information must comply with all applicable federal and state privacy laws, including 42 CFR Part 2. Anthem says it is allowed to use and disclose SUD information for certain treatment, payment and health care operations activities. The member has the right to consent to disclosure of SUD information in certain circumstances and can revoke this consent in writing at any time.
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One example is with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) information we may receive from Providers or programs regulated by federal law (42 CFR Part 2).
All disclosures of SUD information must comply with all applicable Federal and State privacy laws, including 42 CFR Part 2.
We are allowed to Use and Disclose SUD information for certain Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations activities.
You have the right to consent to disclosure of SUD information in certain circumstances.
You can revoke this consent in writing at any time.
Qualifications & exceptions
Use and disclosure for treatment, payment and operations is allowed only for 'certain' such activities.
The consent right applies 'in certain circumstances'.
Not stated here
42 CFR Part 2 is an external law that is not supplied here; the notice does not say which circumstances need consent or which activities are covered.
Cross-references
qualifies (model-proposed): Anthem may collect, use and share PHI as the law allows or requires — qualifies: The substance use disorder passage adds that disclosures of that information must also comply with 42 CFR Part 2 and other privacy laws, so the general permission to use and share PHI is limited for that information.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
More information is on Anthem's Privacy web page, which is not part of this source
Anthem points members to its Privacy web page at anthem.com/privacy to read more about how it collects and uses information, privacy rights, and other state and federal privacy laws. That page is not part of the supplied source.
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To see more information
To read more information about how we collect and use your information, your privacy rights, and other state and federal privacy laws, please visit our Privacy web page at anthem.com/privacy.
Not stated here
The content of anthem.com/privacy is not supplied and is not summarized here.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · User right or choice
Members can file a privacy complaint with Anthem or HHS; Anthem says it will not retaliate
A member who thinks Anthem has not protected their privacy can file a complaint with Anthem at the Member Services phone number on the ID card. The member can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Anthem says it will not take action against a member for filing a complaint.
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Complaints
If you think we haven’t protected your privacy, you can file a complaint with us at the Member Services phone number on your ID card.
You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by visiting hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
We will not take action against you for filing a complaint.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Permission or license
Anthem reserves the right to change the notice; a revised notice applies to PHI it already has and will get
Anthem reserves the right to change the notice. A revised notice applies to PHI Anthem already has about the member, as well as any PHI it may get in the future. Anthem says it is required by law to follow the privacy notice in effect at this time.
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We reserve the right to change this notice.
A revised notice will apply to PHI we already have about you, as well as any PHI we may get in the future.
We’re required by law to follow the privacy notice that’s in effect at this time.
Qualifications & exceptions
The legal duty is to follow the notice 'in effect at this time'.
Not stated here
The notice does not say how far in advance a change is announced or when it takes effect.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
Anthem may tell members about changes through a newsletter, its website or a letter
Anthem says it may tell members about changes to the notice through a newsletter, its website, or a letter.
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We may tell you about any changes to our notice through a newsletter, our website, or a letter.
Qualifications & exceptions
'May' means notice by these channels is permitted, not promised for every change.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
Original effective date was April 14, 2003; the latest revision is noted in the footer
The notice says its original effective date was April 14, 2003. It says the most recent revision is noted in the footer at the end of the document.
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Effective date of this notice
The original effective date of this notice was April 14, 2003.
The most recent revision is noted in the footer at the end of this document.
Not stated here
The date of the current revision is in the footer, which this card does not restate.
Cross-references
related (model-proposed): The notice's footer states it was reviewed 2/2026 — references: The effective-date section says the most recent revision is noted in the footer, which reads Reviewed 2/2026.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment
A covered mastectomy includes benefits that comply with the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998
Anthem says a mastectomy that is covered by the health plan includes benefits that comply with the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998. These provide for reconstruction of the breast(s) that underwent a covered mastectomy; surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to restore a symmetrical appearance; and prostheses and coverage for physical complications related to all stages of a covered mastectomy, including lymphedema.
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Breast reconstruction surgery benefits
A mastectomy that’s covered by your health plan includes benefits that comply with the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, which provides for:
Reconstruction of the breast(s) that underwent a covered mastectomy.
Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to restore a symmetrical appearance.
Prostheses and coverage for physical complications related to all stages of a covered mastectomy, including lymphedema.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies when the mastectomy is covered by the member's health plan.
Not stated here
The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act is an external law that is not supplied here.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment
Anthem follows federal civil rights laws, does not discriminate, and offers free aids and language help
Anthem says it follows federal civil rights laws in its health programs and activities and does not discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. It offers free aids and services for people with disabilities, and free interpreters and other written languages if a person's main language isn't English. Members can call the Member Services number on the ID card for help.
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It’s important we treat you fairly
We follow federal civil rights laws in our health programs and activities.
We don’t discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
If you have disabilities, we offer free aids and services.
If your main language isn’t English, we offer help for free through interpreters and other written languages.
Qualifications & exceptions
The commitment is stated for Anthem's health programs and activities.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · User right or choice
Members can file a discrimination complaint (grievance) with Anthem or HHS in four ways
A member who thinks Anthem failed to offer these services or discriminated based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex can file a complaint, also known as a grievance. The member can write to Anthem's Compliance Coordinator at the address given, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by mail, call 800-368-1019 (TDD 800-537-7697), or go online at the OCR portal and complaint form pages.
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If you think we failed to offer these services or discriminated based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a complaint, also known as a grievance.
Write to Compliance Coordinator, P.O. Box 27401, Mail Drop VA2002-N160, Richmond, VA 23279.
File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
Call 800-368-1019 (TDD: 800-537-7697).
Go online at ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf and fill out a complaint form at hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html.
Qualifications & exceptions
The address listed for Anthem's Compliance Coordinator is a Virginia address; the notice does not say whether it applies to every state's members.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
The notice's footer states it was reviewed 2/2026
The footer at the end of the notice reads 'Reviewed 2/2026'. The notice elsewhere says the most recent revision is noted in this footer, so this is the most recent revision date the source gives. It does not give an effective date for that revision.
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Reviewed 2/2026
Qualifications & exceptions
'Reviewed' is the source's word; the footer does not say what changed.
Not stated here
The footer gives no effective date for the February 2026 review.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is a trade name of different insuring entities in different states
The closing note says Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of different companies depending on the state, including Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. in Colorado; Anthem Health Plans, Inc. in Connecticut; Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. in Indiana; Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. in Kentucky; Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. in Maine; Community Insurance Company in Ohio; and Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. in Virginia, among others it lists for Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, southeastern New York and Wisconsin.
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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of:
In Colorado: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc.
In Connecticut: Anthem Health Plans, Inc.
In Indiana: Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.
In Georgia: Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. and AMGP Georgia Managed Care Company, Inc.
In Kentucky: Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc.
In Maine: Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc.
In Ohio: Community Insurance Company.
In Virginia: Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Qualifications & exceptions
Which entity applies to a member depends on the state.
Not stated here
The source does not say which entity issues a particular member's coverage or which state's rules apply to that member.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
In some states, the named entities underwrite or only administer different plan types
The closing note says that in Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) the named entities administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by one company and HMO benefits underwritten by another, and that these entities only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. It also describes HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc. in Colorado and Nevada, HMO administration in New Hampshire, and PPO, indemnity, HMO and POS arrangements in Wisconsin.
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In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area):
RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits.
HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc.
HMO plans are administered by Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. and underwritten by either Matthew Thornton Health Plan, Inc. or Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc.
In Wisconsin: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWI) underwrites or administers PPO and indemnity policies and underwrites the out-of-network benefits in POS policies offered by Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation.
Qualifications & exceptions
For self-funded plans in Missouri the named entities only provide administrative services; the notice does not say what that means for a member's own coverage.
Not stated here
The source does not say how these entity roles change who is responsible for the member's PHI.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
The note also names New York and Virginia entities and a Virginia service area
The closing note names entities for 17 southeastern counties of New York and says that, in those counties, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield HP is the trade name of Anthem HP, LLC. In Virginia it says HealthKeepers, Inc. trades as Anthem HealthKeepers providing HMO coverage, with a service area of all of Virginia except the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123.
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In 17 southeastern counties of New York: Anthem HealthChoice Assurance, Inc. and Anthem HealthChoice HMO, Inc.
In these same counties Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield HP is the trade name of Anthem HP, LLC.
its affiliate HealthKeepers, Inc. trades as Anthem HealthKeepers providing HMO coverage
their service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies only to the named counties and Virginia service area.