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pRivACY pRotECtion pRivAtE EXCHAnGE Dear Addy, Dear Addy, I rarely attend bleeding disorder-related events because I I have health insurance through my employer. Next want to protect my privacy. When I do attend, it seems like year my employer is giving me a lump sum each every time I turn around, someone is trying to get me to month to pay for health insurance on a “private ex- complete a survey. Why is that? How can I protect change.” What does that mean? my privacy? Signed, Signed, Month-to-Month Under the Radar Dear Month-to-Month, Dear Under the Radar, Private exchanges are online marketplaces that allow Some companies, organizations, and medical providers collect in- employers to offer their employees a range of choices for formation from the bleeding disorders community for legitimate health insurance coverage. These exchanges are differ- reasons. There are surveys out there that offer community mem- ent from the Marketplace through, in which each state bers an opportunity to have their voices heard, like HFA’s CHOICE will offer health insurance plans to individuals and small Project. However, there are others that collect your information to businesses in accordance with the Affordable Care Act market a product to you or perhaps use your responses for purpos- (ACA). On private exchanges, employees can shop for es that they don’t disclose. different types of health plans from a variety of insurers as well as other types of benefits like as dental or vision No matter what the reason for the survey is or who is giving it, it is important to protect your personal information at all times. The plans. Since your employer is offering you a lump sum, group giving the survey should inform you in advance of who will or “defined contribution,” each month to pay for health control the survey data, what it will be used for, and with whom it insurance, if you choose a plan that costs more than that will be shared in its raw and aggregated forms. If you choose to monthly sum, it is likely you will have to cover the differ- take a survey, be careful about (1) giving out personally identifi- ence. able information like your name, address, social security number, You are not alone in having your employer choose to use etc.; (2) making any statements in your responses that you wouldn’t a private exchange. Accenture PLC projects that around want to appear on the front page of a newspaper, and (3) answer- a million Americans will get employer health insurance ing any questions that make you feel uncomfortable in any way. coverage through private exchanges next year. That number will increase to 40 million by 2018. Get ready to Ultimately, it is your responsibility to protect your privacy. So if you don’t want to participate in surveys, then don’t. The choice is go shopping. yours. Sincerely, Sincerely, Addy Addy Winter 2013 | Dateline Federation 5
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