Members can sign up to receive these notices by email
The notice invites members who want to go paperless to go to the Wellpoint website and sign up to get these notices by email, and to read them online or on the mobile app. It is offered as an option; the text does not say how paper delivery changes after sign-up.
Supporting quotations
Would you like to go paperless and read this online or on your mobile app? Go to www.wellpoint.com and sign up to get these notices by email.
Qualifications & exceptions
Phrased as an invitation ('Would you like to go paperless'), not a requirement.
Not stated here
Whether signing up requires an online account, and whether paper copies stop, is not stated.
Account & Service Control · User right or choice
Right to see and correct your PI
In the state section the member is told they have the right to see and correct their PI. This sentence does not describe how to make a request, how long it takes, or any limits. The HIPAA ’Your rights’ section describes written requests for PHI, but it does not say that process also governs PI.
Supporting quotations
You have the right to see and correct your PI.
Qualifications & exceptions
Stated without conditions in this sentence; no process or deadline is given here.
Not stated here
How to exercise this PI right, and any limits on it, are not stated in the state section.
Account & Service Control · User right or choice
Right to a copy of your PHI on written request, including by unencrypted email
Under federal law the member can send a written request to see or get a copy of their PHI, including a copy by email. The notice warns that PHI sent by regular, unencrypted email could be read by a third party, so the insurer first confirms the member wants it by unencrypted email. It says the insurer usually provides a copy within 30 days of the request and will tell the member if it needs more time.
Supporting quotations
Under federal law, you have the right to:
Send us a written request to see or get a copy of your PHI, including a request for a copy of your PHI through email.
Remember, there’s a risk your PHI could be read by a third party when it’s sent unencrypted, meaning regular email. So, we will first confirm that you want to get your PHI by unencrypted email before sending it to you.
We will provide you a copy of your PHI usually within 30 days of your request. If we need more time, we will let you know.
Qualifications & exceptions
The request must be written.
'Usually' within 30 days; more time is possible with notice.
Not stated here
The length of any extension is not stated.
Account & Service Control · User right or choice
Right to ask for correction of PHI you believe is wrong or incomplete
The member can ask the insurer to correct PHI they believe is wrong or incomplete. If someone else, such as the member’s doctor, gave the insurer the PHI, the insurer will tell the member so they can ask that source to correct it. The insurer may say no, but will explain why in writing within 60 days.
Supporting quotations
Ask that we correct your PHI that you believe is wrong or incomplete.
If someone else, such as your doctor, gave us the PHI, we’ll let you know so you can ask him or her to correct it.
We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
Qualifications & exceptions
The insurer may refuse, with a written reason within 60 days.
For PHI supplied by another source, the member is directed to ask that source.
Not stated here
The notice does not say whether the member can contest a refusal or add a statement under HIPAA; a rebuttal right appears only in the Maine section.
Account & Service Control · User right or choice
Right to request confidential communications
The member can ask the insurer to send PHI or contact them in other reasonable ways. The member can also ask that mail go to a different address if sending it to the home could put them in danger.
Supporting quotations
Request confidential communications. You can ask us to send your PHI or contact you using other ways that are reasonable.
Also, let us know if you want us to send your mail to a different address if sending it to your home could put you in danger.
Qualifications & exceptions
Limited to ways that are 'reasonable'.
Not stated here
Whether a request must be in writing, and what the insurer considers reasonable, are not stated.
Account & Service Control · Procedure
Call Member Services to use these rights
To use any of these rights, the member is told to call Member Services at the phone number on the ID card. A representative can give the address for sending a request and any forms that may help. Several rights above require a written request, so the call is how the member gets the address and forms; the notice does not say whether a call alone is enough.
Supporting quotations
Call Member Services at the phone number on your ID card to use any of these rights. A representative can give you the address to send the request. They can also give you any forms we have that may help you with this process.
Qualifications & exceptions
Several rights require a written request.
Not stated here
Whether a phone request alone is sufficient for any right is not stated.
Account & Service Control · Procedure
Contact Member Services for help with rights, complaints and privacy questions
The notice says the member may call the Member Services phone number on their ID card. Its representatives can help the member apply their rights, file a complaint, or talk about privacy issues. No separate privacy office or address is named.
Supporting quotations
You may call us at the Member Services phone number on your ID card.
Qualifications & exceptions
The only contact channel named is the Member Services phone number on the ID card.
Not stated here
No other contact channel, such as an email or mailing address, is given in this section.
Account & Service Control · User right or choice
Right to a new copy of the notice, including on paper
The member has the right to get a new copy of this notice at any time. Even if the member has agreed to get the notice electronically, they still have the right to ask for a paper copy.
Supporting quotations
You have the right to get a new copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to get this notice by electronic means, you still have the right to ask for a paper copy.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies at any time and regardless of electronic delivery agreement.
Not stated here
How to request a copy is not described in this paragraph.
Account & Service Control · User right or choice
Maine residents have additional rights to access, correct and add a statement to their personal information
For Maine residents, the notice says the Maine Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Act gives additional rights: to obtain access to the consumer’s recorded personal information in the possession or control of a regulated insurance entity, to request correction if the consumer believes it is inaccurate, and to add a rebuttal statement to the file if there is a dispute. These rights are listed only for Maine residents. The earlier state section says other states may give additional rights, but no other state’s rights are described.
Supporting quotations
FOR MAINE RESIDENTS: Maine Notice of Additional Privacy Rights
The Maine Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Act provides consumers in Maine with the following additional rights.
Obtain access to the consumer’s recorded personal information in the possession or control of a regulated insurance entity.
Request correction if the consumer believes the information to be inaccurate.
Add a rebuttal statement to the file if there is a dispute.
The right to:
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to consumers in Maine.
Not stated here
How a Maine resident makes these requests, and whether the rights reach this plan, is not described.
Whether other states grant similar rights is not stated; the absence of other states in this notice is not proof of none.
Right to this information in your language for free and in other formats
The member has the right to get this information in their language for free. For extra help in another language, the member can call the Member Services number on the ID card (TTY/TDD: 711). The insurer also offers the notice in a different format for members with visual impairments, available by calling the same number.
Supporting quotations
One more right that you have is to get this information in your language for free.
If you’d like extra help to understand this in another language, call the Member Services number on your ID card (TTY/TDD: 711).
Aside from helping you understand your privacy rights in another language, we also offer this notice in a different format for members with visual impairments. If you need a different format, please call the Member Services number on your ID card.
Qualifications & exceptions
The format offer is described for members with visual impairments.
Not stated here
Which languages and formats are available is not listed.