PII Privacy Policy

Questions and Answers:
How Horizon BCBSNJ Collects and Maintains Your Personally Identifiable Information

Privacy Notice Statement Required by 45 C.F.R. § 155.260>

Please read these questions and answers to learn how Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) will collect and maintain any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) that you voluntarily provide or that Horizon BCBSNJ may obtain through the assistance provided to you.

We reserve the right to change this Privacy Notification. We reserve the right to make the revised or changed Privacy Notification effective with respect to your PII we already have, as well as, information we may obtain from you if you seek the assistance of the Horizon BCBSNJ representative in the future. We will post a copy of our current Privacy Notification on our website, HorizonBlue.com.

Q1. What is PII?
A1. PII, or Personally Identifiable Information, is personal information that can be used to determine your identity. Some examples of PII include:

  • Name
  • Social Security Number
  • Date and place of birth
  • Mother’s maiden name
  • Medical, educational, financial and/or employment information
  • Phone number
  • Home address
  • Driver’s license number

Q2. Is Horizon BCBSNJ legally allowed to collect PII?
A2. Yes, Horizon BCBSNJ is authorized to collect your PII pursuant to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its implementing rules and regulations published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Q3. Will Horizon BCBSNJ representatives collect my PII?
A3. Horizon BCBSNJ representatives will collect certain PII in connection with your interest in Horizon BCBSNJ health coverage options. Horizon BCBSNJ shall maintain and/or store your PII and/or the PII of your authorized representative in accordance with its privacy policies and procedures.

Q4. Why will Horizon BCBSNJ collect my PII?
A4. While assisting you, our representatives may come in contact with your PII to assist you:

  • With the eligibility process and application for health coverage
  • With enrolling in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP)
  • In determining eligibility for exemptions from the requirement to maintain health coverage

Horizon BCBSNJ representatives may:

  • Enter your PII into the Health Insurance Marketplace (the Marketplace) website application for you. In certain cases, you may enter the information on your own with the assistance of a Horizon BCBSNJ representative.
  • Retain your PII and/or the PII of your authorized representative, after your session with the Horizon BCBSNJ representative has ended.

The Marketplace will collect, maintain and store your PII to:

  • Determine your eligibility for health insurance coverage
  • Determine your eligibility for programs to lower costs of health coverage
  • Display your QHP options.

Q5. How will the Marketplace protect my PII?
A5. The Marketplace has privacy and security standards and procedures in place to protect your PII. For information regarding how the Marketplace will use your PII and its privacy and security practices, please see its privacy statement at https://www.healthcare.gov/individual‐privacy‐act‐statement/.

You can learn more about how the Marketplace handles your information at: https://www.healthcare.gov/how‐we‐use‐yourdata.

Q6. Will Horizon BCBSNJ share or disclose my PII?
A6. Horizon BCBSNJ representatives may share or disclose your PII with the Marketplace and/or other Horizon BCBSNJ representatives for purposes of carrying out certain functions such as making the right eligibility determinations, helping you enroll in coverage and, if applicable, provide financial assistance.

Q7. Is sharing my PII voluntary? Can I choose not to share my PII?
A7. Yes. You and/or your authorized representative do not have to give the Horizon BCBSNJ representative more information than you or your authorized representative choose to provide.

However, the assistance the Horizon BCBSNJ representative provides is based only on the information you and/or your authorized representative provide. If the information provided is inaccurate or incomplete the Horizon BCBSNJ representative may not be able to, among other things, provide you with information about health coverage options, help with the eligibility process and/or assist you with enrollment in a QHP.

Please see the Marketplace’s privacy notice for more information regarding effects of entering incomplete, inaccurate or fraudulent information into the Marketplace application: https://www.healthcare.gov/individual‐privacy‐act‐statement/.

Q8. If I feel that my privacy rights have been violated, how do I file a complaint?
A8. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with Horizon BCBSNJ by calling our Privacy Office at 1-800-318-2596 or you may file a complaint with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by calling the Marketplace helpline at 1-800-318-2596.

Getting Help in Other Languages
Spanish (Español): Para obtener asistencia en Español, llame al 1-800-355-BLUE (2583). Tagalog (Tagalog): Kung kailangan ninyo ang tulong sa Tagalog tumawag sa 1-800-355-BLUE (2583). Chinese (中⽂): 如果需要中⽂的帮助，请拨打这个号码 1-800-355-BLUE (2583). Navajo (Dine): Dinek'ehgo shika at'ohwol ninisingo, kwiijigo holne' 1-800-355-BLUE (2583).