9. Minimum Necessary Standard : When using or disclosing protected health information or when requesting protected health information from another covered entity, a group health plan must make reasonable efforts not to use, disclose or request more than the minimum amount of protected health information necessary to accomplish the intended purpose of the use, disclosure or request. The minimum necessary standard will not apply to: disclosures to or requests by a health care provider for treatment; uses or disclosures made to the individual about his or her own protected health information, as permitted or required by HIPAA; disclosures made to the Department of Health and Human Services; or uses or disclosures that are required by law. 10. Disclosures of Summary Health Information : A group health plan may use or disclose summary health information to the Company for the purpose of obtaining premium bids or modifying, amending or terminating the group health plan. Summary health information summarizes the participant claims history and other information without identifying information specific to any one individual. 11. Disclosures of Enrollment Information : A group health plan may disclose to the Company information on whether an individual is enrolled in or has disenrolled in the plan. 12. Disclosure to the Department of Health and Human Services : A group health plan may use and disclose your protected health information to the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate or determine the group health plan’s compliance with the privacy regulations. 13. Disclosures to Family Members, other Relations and Close Personal Friends : A group health plan may disclose protected health information to your family members, other relatives, close personal friends and anyone else you choose, if: (i) the information is directly relevant to the person’s involvement with your care or payment for that care, and (ii) either you have agreed to the disclosure, you have been given an opportunity to object and have not objected, or it is reasonably inferred from the circums tances, based on the plan’s common practice, that you would not object to the disclosure.
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When required by law;
• When permitted for purposes of public health activities;
• When authorized by law to report information about abuse, neglect or domestic violence to public authorities;
• When authorized by law to a public health oversight agency for oversight activities;
• When required for judicial or administrative proceedings;
• When required for law enforcement purposes;
• When required to be given to a coroner or medical examiner or funeral director;
• When disclosed to an organ procurement organization;
• When used for research, subject to certain conditions;
• When necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public and the disclosure is to a person reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat; and • When authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with workers’ compensation or other similar programs established by law.
For example, if you are married, the plan will share your protected health information with your spouse if
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