Privacy Notice

HealthNet, Inc. Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Program 

The HealthNet CAC Program provides trained counselors to assist you in the Marketplace if you so choose.  This program is free of charge.  A CAC may gain access to your personally identifiable information (PII).  PII is any information that explains who you are. This may include:

  • Name
  • Social Security Number
  • Date and place of birth
  • Mother’s maiden name
  • Bank or work information
  • Phone number
  • Home address
  • Driver’s license number

This Privacy Notice describes how HealthNet CACs will maintain your PII as they assist you.

Background Information about the CAC Program

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace? 
The Marketplace is an online shopping site for health insurance plans.  It lets you compare plans and find one that is right for you and your family. The Marketplace also provides information on:

  • Programs that can help you pay for your health plan
  • Programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

What does a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) do?
A CAC is trained to help you explore your health insurance options through the Marketplace.  A CAC will inform you or your authorized representative about your health care options and help you apply for a health insurance plan.

CACs must act in your best interest and inform you of any conflicts of interest they might have.  They cannot choose a health insurance plan for you.  CACs follow privacy and security information standards when they access or maintain your PII.

More information about your CAC’s role will be given to you on your authorization form. You must sign this form to allow a CAC to assist you.

Privacy Notices Required by Law

What is HealthNet’s legal right to gain access to your PII?
Under the Affordable Care Act, HealthNet has the right to access your PII.

Will CACs collect my PII?
Other than the Authorization Form, CACs will not keep or store your PII. The only PII contained on the Authorization Form will be your name and signature.  You have the option to also provide your address, phone number, and email.

Why will CACs come in contact with my PII?
While helping you, CACs may come in contact with your PII to:

  • Explore your health insurance options
  • Help you apply for a health insurance plan
  • Contact you about your health insurance plan
  • Help you with any exemptions. If you meet certain standards, you do not have to pay a fine for not having health insurance.

HealthNet CACs will not:

  • Enter your PII into the Marketplace website for you. You will enter the information on your own.
  • Retain your PII (other than your Authorization Form) after your session with the CAC has ended.

Marketplace Privacy Standards

CACs will assist you while you enter information into the Marketplace’s secure website.  The Marketplace will collect, keep, and store your PII to see which plans you can get within your budget.  The Marketplace has privacy and security standards and procedures in place to protect your PII. For information about how the Marketplace will use your PII and its privacy and security practices, please go to:

Will the CAC share or disclose my PII?
No, the CAC will not share or keep your PII, other than your Authorization Form.

Do I have to be in the CAC Program?
No, you can choose to not to be in the program. You, or your authorized representative, do not have to give the CAC more information than you choose.  The help the CAC provides is based only on the information you, or your authorized representative, provide.  If the information given is not correct or complete, the CAC may not be able to provide all the help you need.

Changes to This Notice
HealthNet reserves the right to change this notice.

How do I file a complaint with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)?
If you have any questions or believe your privacy rights have been broken, call HealthNet’s Privacy Officer at 1-317-957-2008. You may also file a complaint with CMS by calling the Marketplace helpline at 1-800-318-2596.

This statement provides the notice required by 45 CFR 155.225 and 45 CFR 155.260.