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Why did Unum send me a Business Associate Addendum to my
contract?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requires all covered
entities (such as Unum's insuring subsidiaries) to obtain written agreements
from all business associates that relate to the business associate's uses and
disclosures of protected health information.
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What is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a 1996
federal law, the primary purpose of which is to help consumers maintain their
insurance coverage. HIPAA also includes a section aimed at improving the
efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system — called "administrative
simplification." The Department of Health and Human Services recently finalized
certain regulations for health plans, health care providers and health care
clearinghouses to comply with the administrative simplification requirements of
HIPAA. One of these regulations relates to the privacy of individually
identifiable health information of individuals. Specifically, the regulation
sets standards for uses and disclosures of protected health information of
individuals. Health insurance issuers and certain insurance plans are
considered "health plans" and must comply with the administrative
simplification requirements of HIPAA.
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What is a business associate?
A business associate is a person, including an entity, which performs certain
functions or activities regulated by HIPAA "on behalf of" a health plan, health
care provider, or health care clearinghouse.
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When is the Business Associate Addendum effective?
The Business Associate Addendum is effective March 1, 2003.
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Am I required to sign the Business Associate Addendum and return
it to Unum?
No. You should carefully review and understand the obligations under the
Business Associate Addendum, but you are not required to sign it or to return
it to Unum.
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What is protected health information?
Protected health information is personally identifiable information about: (a)
an individual's past, present or future physical or mental health or condition,
or (b) the provision of health care to an individual, or (c) the past, present
or future payment for the provision of health care to an individual.
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