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Web Site Privacy Policy
Our commitment to privacy
Sharp Health Plan is committed to maintaining the privacy of those who use our Web site. This Web Site Privacy Policy is designed to assist you in understanding how we collect and use the personal information you provide to us and to assist you in making informed decisions when using our Web site.
We want you to feel safe and comfortable when you use our Web site, and we are dedicated to developing and upholding high standards for protecting your privacy and securing your personal information. You should read and familiarize yourself with this Policy and with our Terms of Use Agreement (the "Agreement”). When you use our Web site, you agree to abide by the Agreement.
Information we collect
When you visit our Web site, you may provide us with two types of information: (1) personal information you knowingly choose to disclose; and (2) Web site use information.
Personal information is any information you've provided us through our Web site that uniquely identifies you, such as name, social security number, health plan ID number, medical record number, date of birth, telephone number, address, or e-mail address, to name a few.
Web site use information is information that is gathered automatically by Sharp Health Plan to track Web site activity, including the number of users and the pages visited. Web site use information includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, operating system, and date/time stamp. Web site use information does not identify individual users.
Use of cookies
To access the secure services on our Web site, "cookies" must be enabled. Cookies are pieces of information stored on a user's computer which allow us to recognize repeat users, track usage patterns and better serve you when you return to our site. Cookies are not used on non-secure portions of Sharp Health Plan’s Web site. Your browser is probably set to accept cookies. However, if you would prefer not to accept cookies, you can change your browser settings to refuse them. If you choose to have your browser refuse cookies, it is possible that some areas of our Web site will not function properly when you view them, and you may have to re-enter personal information every time you use the site in order to participate in certain services or promotions.
How we use information
Sharp Health Plan uses the personal information that you submit to us via our Web site to administer our business activities and to respond to your inquiries. We will not sell, lease, rent, or license your personal information to a third party, unless you authorize us to do so. We may provide your personal information to health care entities involved in providing health care to you, such as your health plan or physician. In such case, Sharp Health Plan will disclose personal information in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as described in Sharp Health Plan’s Notice of Privacy Practices.
In addition, Sharp Health Plan reserves the right to de-identify and aggregate data, and to use such aggregated data in accordance with all applicable laws. If your membership is sponsored by your employer or another third party, we may share information with that party in de-identified, aggregate form only. For example, we may report to your employer the number of its employees using the Web site or the frequency of their collective use. This information will not identify you personally.
Questions about your personal information
If you have questions about your personal information maintained by Sharp Health Plan, please contact us at the telephone number listed below.
Our commitment to security
The security of your personal information is important to Sharp Health Plan. To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data security, and ensure the correct use of information, Sharp Health Plan has adopted stringent security standards. These standards include physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect and secure the information that we collect from you. While we follow generally accepted industry standards to protect the personal information submitted to us, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We, therefore, cannot guarantee absolute security. If you wish, you may contact us, instead, at the telephone number listed below.
Links to other web sites
This Web site contains links to other Web sites that are not owned or controlled by Sharp Health Plan. Please be aware that Sharp Health Plan is not responsible for the privacy practices, content or accuracy of such other Web sites. Sharp Health Plan encourages you to be aware when you leave our Web site and to read the privacy policies of every Web site that collects your personal information.
If you identify yourself to us by sending us e-mail with questions or comments, we may use your personal information to respond to your questions or comments. We may file your comments for future reference, or we may discard the information after we have reviewed it. Any ideas, comments or materials you submit will be treated as non-confidential and shall become the property of Sharp Health Plan, and by submitting such ideas, comments or materials you automatically and irrevocably assign to Sharp Health Plan any and all rights whether now known or arising in the future to such ideas, comments or materials and Sharp Health Plan shall exclusively own all such rights, with no obligation to you of any sort. This provision is necessary to avoid future misunderstandings in the event that projects developed by our staff might seem to others to be similar to their own creative work.
If you give us your e-mail address via this Web site or via any other method, we may send you unsolicited e-mail with information about Sharp Health Plan, health or wellness or other topics of interest to our members. If you provide us your work e-mail account or any account provided by your employer, your employer may have access to any e-mails sent to or from that address in accordance with your employer’s right to monitor employee e-mail. If you request to be removed from our e-mail list, we will honor your request. We will never sell your e-mail address or provide it to anyone else except as described in this Internet Privacy Practices or as set forth in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
Changing your e-mail preferences
Sharp Health Plan may send you communications, including e-mail communications, regarding products, services, promotions, changes to the site, or other information. You always have the opportunity to choose not to receive such communications:
• By following unsubscribe directions stated in the footer of e-mail communications.
• By contacting Customer Care.
Your responsibility
Although we will protect your privacy on the Web site as described in this Policy, you should keep in mind that if you give others access to your computer, your password, or disclose personal information online, it is possible that despite our efforts information may be accessible by others. You can help guard against this by never disclosing your password, giving anyone else access to your personal computer, and by ensuring that information you disclose online is transmitted securely.
Changes to our web site privacy policy
Sharp Health Plan reserves the right to change this Web Site Privacy Policy at any time without advance notice to our users. Modifications to the Policy shall be effective when they are posted on this Web site, in which case posting shall constitute notice to you. Your continued use of the Web site following the posting of any such modifications on the Site constitutes your acceptance and agreement to be bound by such modifications. We encourage you to check the Web site regularly to see if we have made any modifications to this Policy.
Contact us
If you have questions regarding our Web Site Privacy Policy or other general questions, please contact us at (619) 228-2300 or 1-800-359-2002.
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Last updated: December 14, 2009
