Privacy protections

For Participant race, ethnicity, and language data

Race, ethnicity, and language details are necessary to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) to our Participants. The data is collected, stored, protected, and used as allowed by internal policies.

AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania (PA) Community HealthChoices (CHC) collects, stores, and reports data on Participants' race, ethnicity, and language to:

  • Understand the demographics (the data of a population) of our Participants.
  • Measure and report any existing disparities (differences) in health care or services.
  • Address those disparities through appropriate outreach and Participant initiatives.

The plan's internal policies set when we can and can't use race, ethnicity, and language data. The policies also describe how Participants will be notified of privacy protections.

Data access control

Access to individual-level race, ethnicity, and language data:

  • Is regulated by AmeriHealth Caritas PA CHC information security access control policies.
  • Will only be provided to those associates whose jobs require access to this information.
  • Will be terminated according to AmeriHealth Caritas information security access control policies.

Permissible uses of data

Race, ethnicity, and language data will be used to:

  • Assess health care disparities.
  • Design intervention programs.
  • Design and direct outreach materials.
  • Inform health care practitioners and providers about individuals' language needs.
  • Inform health care practitioners and providers to help design programs to improve health outcomes.

Impermissible uses of data

Race, ethnicity, and language data will not be:

  • Used to perform underwriting, rate setting, or benefit determinations.
  • Disclosed to unauthorized users.

Notification of privacy practices

  • Participants will be told of AmeriHealth Caritas PA CHC policies for use and protection of race, ethnicity, and language data at the time of direct collection.
  • AmeriHealth Caritas PA CHC may communicate its policies for use and protection of race, ethnicity, and language data through its standard forms of communication; i.e., Participant handbook, Participant newsletters, provider newsletters, website news and information, etc.

Participants