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HOW TO END YOUR MEMBERSHIP / BENEFICIARIES AND PLAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITY UPON DISENROLLMENT

‍Ending your membership in our Plan may be voluntary (your own choice) or involuntary (not your own choice):

• You might leave our plan because you have decided that you want to leave.

     ○ There are only certain times during the year, or certain situations, when you may voluntarily end your membership in the plan. Section 1(below) tells you when you can end your membership in the plan.
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     ○ The process for voluntarily ending your membership varies depending on what type of new coverage you are choosing. Section 2 tells you how to end your membership in each situation.

• There are also limited situations where you do not choose to leave, but we are required to end your membership. Section 4 tells you about situations when we must end your membership.

If you are leaving our plan, you must continue to get your medical care through our plan until your membership ends.

SECTION 1 Introduction to ending your membership in our plan

Ending your membership in University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP may be voluntary (your own choice) or involuntary (not your own choice):

• You might leave our plan because you have decided that you want to leave. Sections 2 and 3 provide information on ending your membership voluntarily.
• There are also limited situations where we are required to end your membership. Section 5 tells you about situations when we must end your membership.

If you are leaving our plan, our plan must continue to provide your medical care and prescription drugs and you will continue to pay your cost share until your membership ends.

SECTION 2  When can you end your membership in our plan?

Section 2.1 You can end your membership during the Annual Enrollment Period

You can end your membership in our plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (also known as the Annual Open Enrollment Period). During this time, review your health and drug coverage and decide about coverage for the upcoming year.

• The Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15 to December 7.
• Choose to keep your current coverage or make changes to your coverage for the upcoming year. If you decide to change to a new plan, you can choose any of the following types of plans:
• Another Medicare health plan, with or without prescription drug coverage.
• Original Medicare with a separate Medicare prescription drug plan.
• Original Medicare without a separate Medicare prescription drug plan.
• If you choose this option, Medicare may enroll you in a drug plan, unless you have opted out of automatic enrollment.

Note: If you disenroll from Medicare prescription drug coverage and go without creditable prescription drug coverage for 63 or more days in a row, you may have to pay a Part D late enrollment penalty if you join a Medicare drug plan later.

• Your membership will end in our plan when your new plan’s coverage begins on January 1.

Section 2.2  You can end your membership during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

You have the opportunity to make one change to your health coverage during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

• The annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is from January 1 to March 31.
• During the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period you can:
  • Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without prescription drug coverage.
  • Disenroll from our plan and obtain coverage through Original Medicare. If you choose to switch to Original Medicare during this period, you can also join a separate Medicare prescription drug plan at that time.
• Your membership will end on the first day of the month after you enroll in a different Medicare Advantage plan, or we get your request to switch to Original Medicare. If you also choose to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, your membership in the drug plan will begin the first day of the month after the drug plan gets your enrollment request.

Section 2.3 In certain situations, you can end your membership during a Special Enrollment Period

In certain situations, members of University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP may be eligible to end their membership at other times of the year. This is known as a Special Enrollment Period.

You may be eligible to end your membership during a Special Enrollment Period if any of the following situations apply to you. These are just examples, for the full list you can contact the plan, call Medicare, or visit the Medicare website (www.medicare.gov):

• Usually, when you have moved.
• If you have Medicaid.
• If you are eligible for “Extra Help” with paying for your Medicare prescriptions.
• If we violate our contract with you.
• If you are getting care in an institution, such as a nursing home or long-term care (LTC) hospital.
• If you enroll in the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
• Note: If you’re in a drug management program, you may not be able to change plans. Chapter 5, Section 10 tells you more about drug management programs.

The enrollment time periods vary depending on your situation.

To find out if you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, please call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users call 1-877-486-2048. If you are eligible to end your membership because of a special situation, you can choose to change both your Medicare health coverage and prescription drug coverage. You can choose:

• Another Medicare health plan with or without prescription drug coverage.
• Original Medicare with a separate Medicare prescription drug plan.
• – or – Original Medicare without a separate Medicare prescription drug plan.

Note: If you disenroll from Medicare prescription drug coverage and go without creditable prescription drug coverage for 63 days or more in a row, you may have to pay a Part D late enrollment penalty if you join a Medicare drug plan later.

Your membership will usually end on the first day of the month after your request to change your plan is received.

If you receive “Extra Help” from Medicare to pay for your prescription drugs: If you switch to Original Medicare and do not enroll in a separate Medicare prescription drug plan, Medicare may enroll you in a drug plan, unless you have opted out of automatic enrollment.

Section 2.4 Where can you get more information about when you can end your membership?

If you have any questions about ending your membership, you can:

• Call Customer Service.
• Find the information in the Medicare & You 2024
• Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (TTY 1-877-486-2048).

SECTION 3 How do you end your membership in our plan?

The table below explains how you should end your membership in our plan.

SECTION 4  Until your membership ends, you must keep getting your medical items, services and drugs through our plan

Until your membership ends, and your new Medicare coverage begins, you must continue to get your medical services, items and prescription drugs through our plan.

• Continue to use our network providers to receive medical care.
• Continue to use our network pharmacies or mail order to get your prescriptions filled.
• If you are hospitalized on the day that your membership ends, your hospital stay will be covered by our plan until you are discharged (even if you are discharged after your new health coverage begins).

SECTION 5  University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP must end your membership in the plan in certain situations

Section 5.1 When must we end your membership in the plan?

University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP must end your membership in the plan if any of the following happen:

• If you no longer have Medicare Part A and Part B.
• If you move out of our service area.
• If you are away from our service area for more than six months.
  • If you move or take a long trip, call Customer Service to find out if the place you are moving or traveling to is in our plan’s area.
• If you become incarcerated (go to prison).
• If you are no longer a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States.
• If you lie or withhold information about other insurance you have that provides prescription drug coverage.
• If you intentionally give us incorrect information when you are enrolling in our plan and that information affects your eligibility for our plan. (We cannot make you leave our plan for this reason unless we get permission from Medicare first.)
• If you continuously behave in a way that is disruptive and makes it difficult for us to provide medical care for you and other members of our plan. (We cannot make you leave our plan for this reason unless we get permission from Medicare first.)
• If you let someone else use your membership card to get medical care. (We cannot make you leave our plan for this reason unless we get permission from Medicare first.)
  • If we end your membership because of this reason, Medicare may have your case investigated by the Inspector General.
• If you are required to pay the extra Part D amount because of your income and you do not pay it, Medicare will disenroll you from our plan and you will lose prescription drug coverage.

Where can you get more information?

If you have questions or would like more information on when we can end your membership call Customer Service.

Section 5.2 We cannot ask you to leave our plan for any health-related reason

University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP is not allowed to ask you to leave our plan for any health-related reason.

What should you do if this happens?

If you feel that you are being asked to leave our plan because of a health-related reason, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Section 5.3 You have the right to make a complaint if we end your membership in our plan

If we end your membership in our plan, we must tell you our reasons in writing for ending your membership. We must also explain how you can file a grievance or make a complaint about our decision to end your membership.

Where can you get more information?

If you have questions or would like more information on when we can end your membership:

You can call University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP Customer Service at 216-535-4014 or 1-833-954-0483. TTY users should call 711. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (October 1st -March 31st, we are available 7 days a week, 8 am -8 pm).

Quality health care and benefits are responsibilities you share with your doctors and your plan. We want you to know your responsibilities and rights. They are based on common sense, courtesy, and honest communication. Please read your Evidence of Coverage for a full description. If you have a question, concern, or a recommendation on improving University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP policies for promoting enrollee responsibilities and rights, contact us through our website at pthp.com/uh or call the Service Center at 216-535-4014 or toll-free at 1-833-954-0483 or TTY/TDD 711. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. From October 1st through March 31st, we are open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week.

You have a Right to:

• Receive information about the organization, its services, its practitioners and providers, and member rights and responsibilities.

• Receive information about your coverage (see your Evidence of Coverage book).

• A list of doctors, hospitals, and other University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP network providers. Visit our Find a Doctor Tool here

• Be treated with dignity and respect.

• A frank discussion with your doctor about your medical condition, including appropriate and medically necessary treatment options, regardless of cost or benefit coverage and to participate in making decisions about your health care. Your doctors are independent. They are not restricted or prohibited from discussing treatment options with you, including those that are not covered.

• Privacy of your health care and claims information. Your Protected Health Information will be used to pay claims, as permitted by HIPAA and as described in your Notice of Privacy Practices. Protected Health Information will not be disclosed to others without your authorization.

• Ask questions, raise concerns, make complaints, and appeal denials, as explained in your Evidence of Coverage book.

• To make recommendations about University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP’s Enrollee Rights and Responsibilities Policy.


You have a responsibility to:

• Bring your ID card when you go to the doctor, hospital, drug store, or health care provider. It contains important information. Having your card may help save time and prevent mistakes.

• Tell the doctor or nurse about your condition. Tell your doctor what medications you are taking. Answer any questions the doctor or nurse may ask you completely and truthfully. This information may help your doctor form treatment goals and alternatives. Understand your health problems and participate in developing mutually agreed-upon goals.

• Ask questions if you do not understand something about your medical condition and the treatment alternatives (including medications) the doctor is recommending.

• Follow your doctor’s medical advice and instructions. Take medications as directed. Let the doctor know if you have a bad reaction. Let your doctor know if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Schedule recommended follow-up appointments.

• Live a healthy lifestyle.

• Check your benefit chart (schedule of benefits).

• Get all required pre-approvals (pre-certification) and second opinions.

• Call us if you have questions about your coverage or responsibilities.‍

What is Fraud, Waste, and Abuse?

Fraud, as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, is an intentional deception or misrepresentation that someone makes, knowing it is false, that could result in the payment of unauthorized benefits.

Waste involves the intentional and unintentional, thoughtless or careless utilization, consumption, mismanagement, uses or squandering of health care benefits.

Abuse involves actions that are inconsistent with sound medical, business, or fiscal practices. Abuse, directly or indirectly, results in higher costs to the health care program through improper payments that are not medically necessary.

The primary difference between fraud and abuse is a person's intent. That is, did they know they were committing a crime?

University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP’s Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Protection Mission

The mission of our Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Unit is to protect our customers, including companies, enrollees and employees, against fraud, waste, and abuse by investigating all unlawful and wasteful activity directed at the corporation's assets and to seek remedies for the benefit of the company's policyholders.

How University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP Works to Protect You

We maintain a committed Anti-Fraud Unit. Our unit works closely with the National Benefit Integrity Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (NBI MEDIC), the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA), the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Attorney's Offices, and other partners to identify fraud, waste, and abuse. We develop cases for referral to NBI MEDIC, local and federal law enforcement authorities, support civil and/or criminal prosecutions, recover lost money, and pursue the exclusion of bad providers from the University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP system.

What to Look For

Fraud, waste, and abuse can take many forms. Some common forms may include, but are not limited to:

• Billing for services or supplies never provided.
• Misrepresenting the services rendered.
• Misrepresenting the diagnosis to justify payment for services.
• Altering claim forms to obtain higher payment amounts.
• Soliciting, offering or receiving a kickback, bribe or rebate
• Deliberately applying for more than one payment for the same service.
• Unlawfully completing a Certificate of Medical Necessity.
• Falsifying documents.
• Misrepresenting the place of service.
• Secret, unlawful agreements between a supplier, beneficiary, and/or other healthcare provider that result in higher costs or charges to PTHP.

For more information, please visit this Medicare Resource page.

What Happens After Suspected Fraud is Reported?

Our SIU Department will begin an investigation. At that point, an investigator may request relevant medical documentation from the parties involved. All materials are then analyzed before a final determination is made.

In order for us to provide you with this service, you will need to supply the requested information. See our Privacy Statement for more information about our policies.

Please notify us if you suspect healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse

CALL OUR HOTLINE: 1-866-307-3528 or

ONLINE - https://aultcare.ethicspoint.com

MAIL OR FAX - Submit your suspicions to the SIU Department by mailing or faxing to:
FAX - (330) 363-3066

MAIL - University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP
SIU Department
P. O. Box 6910
Canton, Ohio 44706-0910

We encourage anyone with knowledge of suspected instances of fraud, waste, and abuse to report this information to the SIU. Please know this information can be reported anonymously and without fear of retaliation. Every effort is made to maintain confidentiality.

To promote an environment of open communication and reporting our plan has and enforces a policy of non-retaliation and non-retribution toward any party reporting suspected fraud, waste, and abuse.

University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP is committed to providing each member with a timely resolution for all questions, complaints, or concerns. If you ever have any issues with University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP, your benefits, or our providers, please let us know so we can help.

Our representatives are available to assist you at 1-226-535-4014 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (October 1st – March 31, we are available 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

If you would like to meet with a customer service representative in person, you can visit us during our office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Complaints/Grievances

You have the right to file a grievance orally or in writing.

‍Submit a Written Grievance to:
University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP
P.O. Box 6029
Canton, Ohio 44706
Fax: 330-363-3066
Or email us at: PGrievance@aultcare.com


‍Submit a Verbal Grievance to:
University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP
Customer Service
Local: 216-535-4014 or
Toll-Free: 1-833-954-0483
TTY: 711
We will not treat you differently for filing a complaint. Your health care benefits will not be affected.

University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP maintains information on the number of Grievances and Appeals that are made against us. This information can be obtained by writing to University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP at P.O. Box 6029, Canton, OH 44706.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on coverage determinations, including exceptions, grievances, and appeals, please select one of the links below. This information is also available in Chapter 9 of your plan’s Evidence of Coverage.

Medical Determinations, Grievances, or Appeals Information

This section provides a brief summary of your rights to request coverage for care, services, or payments made for medical services and your right to file a grievance or appeal.


Prescription Drug Coverage Determinations, Grievances, or Appeals Information

This section provides a brief summary of your right to request coverage for prescription drugs and your right to file a grievance or appeal.

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Determination

Complete the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Determination Form to request a coverage decision for a Part D prescription drug. This form may be completed by a member or a provider. To initiate requests by phone, please contact our service center or send us an email to PTHPPharmacy@aultcare.com

Request for Redetermination of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Denial

Complete the Request for Redetermination of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Form to request a redetermination (appeal) of a coverage determination decision. To initiate requests by phone, please contact our service center or send us an email to PTHPAppeals@aultcare.com

Appointment of Representative

If you choose a friend, relative, provider, or other person to be your representative, please complete and return this form. It must be signed by you and the representative acting on your behalf. You must give us a copy of the signed form.

Other Resources

University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP cares about our member satisfaction. Please contact us (contact information above) so we can help. You can also submit a complaint directly to Medicare if you’d like by completing the Medicare Complaint Form.  You can also call 1-800- MEDICARE. The office of the Medicare Ombudsman (OMO) helps you with complaints, grievances, and information requests. Visit their site here.

2024 University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP LIS Premium Summary Table

As a member of our Plan, you pay a monthly premium. If you qualify for Extra Help from Medicare, called the Low Income Subsidy, or LIS you may not have to pay for all or part of the monthly premium. The University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP premiums that are listed are for both medical and prescription coverage.

The premiums that are listed on this website do not reflect additional premiums you may have to pay as a member of Medicare. The Part B premium is in addition to the premium that is listed. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty (LEP) if you do not meet the requirements. Please refer to any of our Evidence of Coverage to review this information in Chapter 1, Sections 4-7.

There is also a Medicare Part A premium that may have to be paid. (Generally, most people do not have to pay this premium.)

The Low Income Subsidy Chart will tell you by plan what your premium will generally be if you qualify for Extra Help from Medicare.

To inquire with the Social Security Administration on the status or level of your LIS benefits, you may contact them by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778).

Language Services PDF - Updated 9/1/2023

Language Services page on University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP

University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP—NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES YOUR INFORMATION. YOUR RIGHTS. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES.

This Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) describes how medical and claims information about you may be used and disclosed, how you can get access to your information, and your rights under HIPAA. Please review this NPP carefully. Feel free to share it with your family or personal representative.

Introduction
‍
AultCare Insurance Company (dba AultCare HMO), which is part of an Organized Health Care Arrangement with AultCare Corporation, AultCare Health Insuring Corporation dba UHMAP by PTHP, PrimeTime Health Plan, and Aultra Administrative Group (AultCare or We) is a Group Health Plan Covered Entity under HIPAA.

We’re committed to safeguarding the Privacy and Security of Protected Health Information of its enrollees and their eligible dependents (you) in paper (PHI) or electronic form (ePHI).

This NPP describes our HIPAA-compliant policies and procedures for the Use and Disclosure of your PHI/ePHI, including the use of PHI/ePHI for eligibility, enrollment, underwriting, claims processing, coordination of benefits, and payment of treatment under your group health plan in compliance with HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rules (updated by the Omnibus Rule of 2013), the HITECH Act, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).

You may access this NPP on our website. If you do not have a computer or internet access, or if you want a paper copy of this NPP, please call our Service Center at 216-535-4014 or 1-833-954-0483.

Not every use or disclosure of PHI, with or without a signed Authorization, is listed in this NPP. Uses or disclosures not specified in this NPP often require an Authorization. Please contact our Privacy Officer if you have a question, concern, or need further guidance.

Terms

Accounting: An Accounting is a list of disclosures of your PHI/ePHI we have made.

Authorization: An Authorization is a document signed and dated by the individual who authorizes the use or disclosure of PHI/ePHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

Business Associates: We contract with outside business associates that may access, use, or disclose PHI/ePHI to perform covered services for us. Examples include auditing, accounting, accreditation, actuarial services, and legal services. Business associates must protect the privacy and security of your PHI/ePHI to the same extent we do. If a business associate delegates services to a subcontractor or agent, that subcontractor or agent also is a business associate that must comply with HIPAA.

Covered Entities: Covered entities include health care providers ( e.g . hospitals, doctors, nurses, nursing homes, home health agencies, durable medical equipment suppliers, other health care professionals and suppliers), and group health plans. AultCare is a group health plan covered entity.

Designated Record Set: A designated record set is a group of records containing PHI in paper or electronic form that we created and store. A designated record set include medical, healthcare and service records, billing, claims and payment information, eligibility and enrollment information, and other information we use to make decisions regarding the coverage and payment of medical care under your plan. Records created by others are not part of a designated record set.

Disclose: Disclose means our releasing, transferring, providing access to, or divulging PHI/ePHI to a third party, including covered entities and their business associates: (1) for treatment, payment, and health care operations; or (2) when you permit us by your signed authorization; or (3) as required by law.

Genetic Information: Genetic information includes genetic testing of the individual or family members.

Health Plan: Health plan means an individual or group health plan that provides, or pays the cost of, medical care and includes a health insurance issuer, HMO, Part A or B of Medicare, Medicaid, voluntary prescription drug benefit program, issuer of Medicare supplemental policy, issuer or a long-term care policy, employee welfare benefit plan, plan for uniformed services, veterans health care program, CHAMPUS, Indian health service program, federal employee health benefit program, Medicare Advantage plan, approved state child health plan, high risk pool, and any other individual or group health plans or combination that provides or pays for the cost of medical care. AultCare is a group health plan.

Health Care Operations: Health care operations include quality assurance, performance improvement, utilization review, accreditation, licensing, legal compliance, provider/supplier credentialing, peer review, business management, auditing, enrollment, underwriting, stop-loss/reinsurance, and other functions related to your health plan, as well as offering and providing preventive, wellness, case management, and related services.

Individual: Individual means the enrollee or eligible dependent (including minors) to whom PHI belongs. It also applies to your family member or personal representative acting on your behalf.

Minimum Necessary: We will limit the use or disclosure of your PHI/ePHI to the minimum needed to accomplish the intended purpose of the use, disclosure, or request.

Payment: Payment means the activities by a group health plan to obtain premiums or to determine or fulfill its responsibility for coverage and the provisions of benefits under your plan and includes eligibility or coverage determination, coordination of benefits, adjudication and subrogation of health benefit claims, billing, claims management, EOBs, health care data processing, reinsurance (including stop-loss and excess), determination of medical necessity, utilization review (including pre-certification and retrospective review), and related activities.

Personal Representative: Personal Representative means a person acting on behalf of the individual, including family, spouse, guardian, attorney-in-fact under a durable or general power of attorney, or friend assisting the individual with healthcare and payment decisions.

Protected Health Information (PHI/ePHI): PHI/ePHI means individually identifiable medical and health information regarding your medical condition, treatment of your medical condition, and payment of your medical condition, and includes oral, written, and electronically generated and stored information. PHI/ePHI excludes de-identified information or health information regarding a person who has been deceased for more than 50 years.

Treatment : Treatment means the provision, coordination, and management of health care and services by one or more health care providers, including referrals and consultations between providers or suppliers.

Use: Use means our accessing, sharing, employing, applying, utilizing, examining, or analyzing your PHI/ePHI within the AultCare organization for payment and health care operation purposes. Your PHI/ePHI is accessible only to members of AultCare’s workforce who have been trained in HIPAA Privacy and have signed a confidentiality agreement that limits their access and use of PHI/ePHI, according to the minimum necessary standard, to perform the authorized purpose.

Wellness Program: Wellness Program means a program that an employer has adopted to promote health and disease prevention, which is offered to employees as part of an employer-sponsored group health plan or separately as a benefit of employment.

Your Rights

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains some of your rights and our responsibilities.

You may get a copy or summary of your health and claims records:

• You may ask to see or get a copy of your health and claims records and PHI kept in a designated record set. Please call the Service Center to ask how to do this. There are some restrictions.

• We will get you a paper copy or electronic version of your health and claims records, or give you a summary, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge reasonable, cost-based fees.

You may ask us to correct your health and claims records:

• You may ask us in writing to correct your health and claims records in a designated records set if you believe they are incorrect, inaccurate, or incomplete. Please call the Service Center or visit our website to get an amendment request form.

• We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.

• You will have an opportunity to appeal.

You may request confidential communications of communications by alternative means:

• You may ask us to contact you about claims, premiums, EOBs, or other matters about your health plan and coverage in a specific way, such as home phone, office phone, or cell phone, or by alternate means, such as an address different from your home or usual email address.

• Let us know if you do not want us to leave any voice mail message.

•Contact the Service Center to request. We will consider all reasonable requests.

You may ask us to limit (restrict) what we use or disclose:

• You may ask us in writing not to use or disclose certain health information for treatment, payment, or operations. We may honor your request if you pay for treatment in full out-of-pocket.

• Please call the Service Center for a restriction request form or visit our website.

• While we will consider reasonable requests, we are not required to agree to your request. We may say “no” if restricting information could affect your care or if disclosure is required by law.

You may request a list (“Accounting”) of those to whom we’ve disclosed PHI/ePHI:

• You may ask in writing for a list of disclosures of your PHI/ePHI (Accounting) for the six years prior to your request.

• We will include all disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and disclosures made to you or you authorized us to make. We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.

You may get a copy of this NPP:

• You may ask for a paper copy of this NPP at any time, even if you have agreed to receive this NPP electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.

• You may access electronic copy of this NPP on our website at any time.

You may choose someone to act for you:

• You may choose a family member or personal representative to receive PHI/ePHI from us, exercise your rights, and make choices for you.
• We will use reasonable efforts to confirm that the person is authorized to act on your behalf before we take any action.

You may file a complaint if you believe your rights have been violated:

• If you believe your privacy or your HIPAA rights have been violated, we urge you to contact our privacy officer, either by calling the Service Center or filing a written complaint at AultCare, P.O. Box 6029, Canton, OH 44706.

• We take all complaints very seriously. We will investigate and take appropriate action if needed.You also may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html

• We will never retaliate against you for filing a complaint, asking a question, or expressing a concern.

Communicating with You

This section describes how we may communicate with you, family members, or your personal representative.

Communicating with You:

We may communicate with you about claims, premiums, or other things regarding your health plan.

Communicating with Family or Others Involved In Your Care:  

• We may disclose your PHI/ePHI to designated family, friends, guardians, persons named in a durable or general power of attorney, personal representatives, or others assisting in your care or payment of claims.

Minors and Emancipated Minors:

• We may disclose a minor’s PHI/ePHI to the minor’s parent(s) or guardian, unless there are legal or policy reasons not to.
• We will not disclose PHI/ePHI to the parent(s) or guardian of an emancipated minor. A minor is emancipated if he/she: (1) does not live with his/her parent(s); (2) is not covered by parental health insurance; (3) is financially independent of parent(s); (4) is married; (5) has children; or (6) is in the military.

Deceased Enrollees:  

• If you die, we may disclose your PHI to the executor or administrator of your estate.

• We may disclose PHI/ePHI to your spouse, family, personal representative, or others who were involved in your care or management of your affairs, unless doing so would be inconsistent with your wishes made known to us.

Uses and Disclosures

This section describes how we typically use or disclose your PHI/ePHI with and without an Authorization.

No Authorization Needed:  

• We will create, receive, or access your PHI/ePHI, which we may use or disclose to other covered entities for treatment, payment, and health care operations, without the need for you to sign an Authorization.

• We will disclose PHI/ePHI needed to treat or authorize treatment. For example, a doctor or health facility involved in your care may request your PHI/ePHI to make treatment decisions covered by the plan.

• We will use or disclose your PHI needed for payment. For example, we will use information about your medical procedures and treatment to process and pay claims, to determine whether services are medically necessary, and to pre-authorize or certify services covered by your health plan.

• We may disclose PHI/ePHI to governmental or commercial health plans that may be obligated under coordination of benefit rules to process and pay your claims.

• We will use and disclose your PHI/ePHI as necessary or required by law to administer your plan and for our health care operations. For example, we may use or disclose PHI/ePHI for underwriting purposes.

• We will not use or disclose genetic information for underwriting purposes.

• We may disclose PHI/ePHI to business associates to perform covered services. It is not necessary for you to sign an Authorization for us to share PHI/ePHI with our business associates for covered services.

Authorization Needed:
We will not use or disclose your PHI/ePHI for any purpose other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations without your signed HIPAA-compliant Authorization, unless required by law.

• We will not disclose psychotherapy notes without a signed Authorization unless required by law.We will not disclose your PHI/ePHI to your employer without your signed Authorization.

• We may disclose PHI/ePHI to the plan sponsor of your health benefit plan on condition that the plan sponsor certifies that it will maintain the confidentiality of PHI/ePHI and will not use PHI to make employment-related decisions or employee benefit determinations.

• We will not release medical records if subpoenaed, unless you sign an Authorization, or the lawyers sign a qualified protective order, or if we receive a valid court or administrative order.

You may choose to receive information about health-related products or services or fundraising:

• We may use your PHI/ePHI if we believe you may be interested in, or benefit from, treatment alternatives, wellness, preventive, disease management, or health-related programs, products or services that may be available to you as an enrollee or eligible beneficiary under your health plan. For example, we may use your PHI/ePHI to identify whether you have a particular illness, and contact you to let you know about a disease management program is available to help manage your illness.

• Let us know if you do not want to be contacted or receive information about these services and programs. Opting out will not affect coverage or services.

• We will not sell or disclose your PHI/ePHI to third-parties for marketing without your Authorization, which will indicate whether we are paid for selling PHI.

• We may contact you about charitable fundraising. If you do not want to be contacted or receive fundraising materials, let our Service Center know. Opting out will not affect coverage or services.

Wellness Programs:

• If you voluntarily choose to participate in a Wellness Program, you may be asked to answer questions on a health risk assessment (HRA) and/or undergo biometric screenings for risk factors.

• Wellness Programs may also provide educational health-related information or services that may include nutrition classes, weight loss and smoking cessation programs, onsite exercise facilities, and/or health coaching to help employees meet their health goals.

• If your employer has entered or may enter into a contract with us to perform services, as well as receive, collect, use, disclose, and store data in connection with a Wellness Program. We will protect the privacy of your PHI.

Use and Disclosure of Health Information Permitted or Required by Law  

We may use or disclose PHI/ePHI, without your Authorization, as required by law, including, but not limited to:

• Workers’ Compensation
• Public health agencies
• FDA and OSHA
• Ohio Department of Insurance and other regulatory and licensing agencies
• Armed Forces to assist in notifying family members of your location, general condition, or death
• Law Enforcement
• Homeland security
• Emergency and disaster
• Prevent threat of serious harm
• Proof of immunization

Breach Notification

• You have the right to notification if a breach of your PHI/ePHI occurs. We will promptly notify you by first-class mail, at your last known address, or by email (if you prefer) if we discover a breach of unsecured PHI/ePHI, which includes the unauthorized acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of your PHI/ePHI, unless we determine through a risk analysis that a low probability exists that the compromise of your PHI would cause you financial, reputational, or other harm.
• We will include in the breach notification a brief description of what happened, a description of the types of unsecured PHI involved, steps you should take to protect yourself from potential harm, a brief description of what we are doing to investigate the breach and mitigate any potential harm, as well as contact information for you to ask questions and learn additional information.

Changes to this NPP

This section describes how and when we may changes NPP and how we will inform you of any material changes.

• We reserve the right to change this NPP at any time, which we may make effective for PHI/ePHI we already used or disclosed, and for any PHI/ePHI we may create, receive, use, or disclose in the future.

• We will make material amendments based on changes in the HIPAA laws.

• The revised NPP will be posted on our website www.pthp.com/uh. Copies of revised NPPs will be mailed to all enrollees covered by the plan, and copies may be obtained by mailing a request to: Privacy Coordinator, P.O. Box 6029, Canton, Ohio 44706.

If you have questions or need further assistance regarding this Notice, you may contact the Service Center at 216-535-4014 or 1-833-954-0483. For people who are hearing impaired, please call our TTY line at 711. Interpreter services are provided free of charge to you. A customer service representative is available to assist you Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (October 1st-March 31st, we are available 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). If you would like to meet with a customer service representative in person, you can visit us during our office hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As a member, you retain the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices, even if you have requested such copy by e-mail or other electronic means.

‍EFFECTIVE DATE

This Notice of Privacy Practices became effective on April 14, 2003.

Last Approved Date: 8/21/2020

Reviewed: 07/31/06, 09/25/06, 04/06/07, 02/15/12, 6/15/12 (name change),9/18/13, 9/3/14, 9/10/15; 5/24/16, 7/31/16
Revised: 07/31/06, 09/25/06, 04/06/07, 02/15/12, 6/15/12 (name change), 7/17/13; 5/24/16, 8/1/16, 1/13/2017, 8/29/2023

Approved 9/3/14; 7/31/16 in Privacy Committee. MK, KKT

V‍isit the University Hospitals Medicare Advantage Plan by PTHP Provider Directory -10/7/24

2024 Medication Therapy Management MTM

2024 Part D Prescription Drug Coverage Information

Please send us an itemized statement and proof of payment for possible reimbursement. You can mail it to: P.O. Box 6905, Canton, Ohio 44706, fax it to 330-363-7714, or drop it off in the lock box in front of the Morrow House.  You have 12 months from the service date to submit for possible reimbursement.