When necessary or appropriate for your care or treatment, the operation of our health plans, or other related activities, we use personal information internally, share it with our affiliates, and disclose it to health care providers (doctors, dentists, pharmacies, hospitals and other caregivers), payors (health care provider organizations, employers who sponsor self-funded health plans or who share responsibility for the payment of benefits, and others who may be financially responsible for payment for the services or benefits you receive under your plan), other insurers, third party administrators, vendors, consultants, government authorities, and their respective agents. These parties are required to keep personal information confidential as provided by applicable law. Participating network providers are also required to give you access to your medical records within a reasonable amount of time after you make a request.

Some of the ways in which personal information is used include claims payment; utilization review and management; medical necessity reviews; coordination of care and benefits; preventive health, early detection, and disease and case management; quality assessment and improvement activities; auditing and anti-fraud activities; performance measurement and outcomes assessment; health claims analysis and reporting; health services research; data and information systems management; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; formulary management; litigation proceedings; transfer of policies or contracts to and from other insurers, HMOs and third party administrators; underwriting activities; and due diligence activities in connection with the purchase or sale of some or all of our business. We consider these activities key for the operation of our health plans. To the extent permitted by law, we use and disclose personal information as provided above without member consent. However, we recognize that many members do not want to receive unsolicited marketing materials unrelated to their health benefits. We do not disclose personal information for these marketing purposes unless the member consents. We also have policies addressing circumstances in which members are unable to give consent.

For greater detail on our practices concerning the use and disclosure of personal information, download a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices.