Disclosing Personal Health Information

Following the guidelines set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), TriWest and TRICARE both take numerous steps to protect and keep private your health information.

There may be times, however, when you need your health information disclosed to individuals who are normally barred from accessing it, such as your spouse, another family member or a friend.

In order to protect your personal health information, TriWest employees cannot disclose that information to an unauthorized individual without your written permission. The easiest way to supply that permission is to fill out and submit TriWest’s Authorization to Disclose Information form. Using this form, you can choose:

• Who can obtain your health information from TriWest
• What information TriWest can disclose to that person
• How long TriWest is authorized to share the information with that person.

The form comes with instructions that include a mailing address.

In cases where you are not available to complete and sign the form, you may elect to have a representative complete and sign it instead. The representative will need to attach proof of this relationship to the form (for example a Power of Attorney or other qualified legal documents).

TriWest employees are trained to protect your health information, but they are also trained to help you legally and safely disclose it when necessary. If you have any questions regarding the disclosure process, please contact TriWest directly at 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378) or register at www.triwest.com to manage your healthcare benefits online, anytime from anywhere with an internet connection.

Published Date: 12/15/2008