Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective July 2013
Overview
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU
CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Purpose
The purpose of this notice is to:
VSP's Responsibilities
VSP is required to abide by the terms of this notice currently in effect by:
Notice Revisions
VSP reserves the right to revise the terms of this notice, and to make the revised terms
effective for all Protected Health Information that it maintains. If VSP revises this notice, we
will make the revised notice available on our website and include information about the changes in
our next annual mailing.
Business Associate
A person or entity that uses Protected Health Information to perform a service for VSP. These
services include, but are not limited to:
Health Care Operations
Activities related to VSP operations, including but not limited to:
Payment
VSP collection of insurance premiums or its determination and payment of claims.
Protected Health Information
Information relating to a VSP patient's past, present or future health or condition, the
provision of health care to a VSP patient, or payment for the provision of health care to a VSP
patient. Protected Health Information includes, but is not limited to:
Treatment
The provision, coordination or management of vision care and related services by one or more
vision care providers.
How VSP Uses and Discloses Information About You
VSP will only use and disclose your Protected Health Information without your authorization when
necessary for:
Disclosure to VSP’s Business Associates
VSP will only disclose your Protected Health Information to Business Associates who have agreed
in writing to maintain the privacy of Protected Health Information as required by law.
Use or Disclosure Requiring Authorization
VSP will not use or disclose your Protected Health Information for purposes other than those
described in this notice. If it becomes necessary to disclose any of your Protected Health
Information for other reasons, VSP will request your written authorization. VSP will obtain your
authorization for any sale of Protected Health Information, or to use or disclose your Protected
Health Information for marketing.
Revoking Authorization
If you provide written authorization, you may revoke it at any time in writing, except to the
extent that VSP has relied upon the authorization prior to its being revoked.
Use or Disclosure Required or Permitted by Law
VSP may use or disclose your Protected Health Information to the extent that the law requires
the use or disclosure
Use and Disclosure Examples
Disclosure Requiring Opportunity to Object
VSP may disclose your Protected Health Information to a family member, friend, or other person
involved in your care or payment if the information is relevant to their involvement and you have
agreed or had an opportunity to object
Genetic Information
VSP is prohibited from using or disclosing your genetic information for underwriting purposes.
Exercising Your Rights
You may exercise any of your below rights by calling our Member Services Department at
800.877.7195.
Review Your Protected Health Information
You have a right to inspect and obtain a copy of your Protected Health Information.
Important : If you feel your Protected Health Information is incomplete or incorrect, you have the right to request that it be amended.
Request to Restrict Your Protected Health Information
You can request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information. VSP
is not required to agree to a requested restriction.
Example : If a restriction request prevents us from providing service to you or from performing payment related functions, we will not be able to agree to the request.
Confidential Communication
When necessary, VSP may seek to contact you by calling you at your home or by sending mailings
containing your Protected Health Information to your home. If you feel that such communications
could compromise your safety, you may request in writing an alternate communication method and/or
location.
Important : VSP may require that a request contain a statement that disclosure of all or part of the information to which the request pertains could endanger the individual, and VSP may, if and to the extent that applicable law allows, request payment for this service.
Examples : The patient may decide, for his or her safety, to have correspondence containing his or her Protected Health Information sent somewhere other than to his or her home, or to have the information sent via fax rather than mailed.
Accounting of Disclosures
If a disclosure of your Protected Health Information was made for a reason other than treatment,
payment or health care operations, you have a right to receive an accounting of the disclosure.
Important : If the disclosure was made to you, VSP will not provide an accounting.
Receive a Copy
You can view and print a copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices through vsp.com. You may also
request a copy from your Benefit Administrator, or you may request a paper copy from VSP.
Complaints
If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may submit a complaint to VSP or
to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services at any time. VSP will not retaliate against you
for filing a complaint. You may file a complaint with VSP through vsp.com, or by calling our Member
Services Department at 877-846-9904.
Contact VSP
For questions about this notice or your privacy, contact our HIPAA Privacy Officer through
vsp.com, or call our Member Services Department at 877-846-9904.
