Privacy protections for member race, ethnicity and language data

Race, ethnicity and language details are necessary to provide culturally and linguistically (language) appropriate services (CLAS) to our members. The data is collected, stored, protected, and used by First Choice according to internal privacy policies.

First Choice collects, stores, and reports data on members' race, ethnicity (cultural background), and language to:

  • Understand the demographics (the data of a population) of our members
  • Measure and report any existing differences in health care or service
  • Address those differences through appropriate outreach and member programs

First Choice's internal policies let us know when we can and can't use race, ethnicity (cultural background) and language data.

The policies also describe how members will be notified of privacy protections.

Data access control

Access to individual-level race, ethnicity (cultural background) and language data:

  1. Is regulated by First Choice Information Security access controls policies.
  2. Will only be provided to those persons whose jobs require access to this information.
  3. Will be terminated according to First Choice Information Security access controls policies.

Permissible uses of data

Race, ethnicity (cultural background) and language data will be used to:

  1. Assess health care differences.
  2. Design intervention programs.
  3. Design and direct outreach materials.
  4. Inform health care practitioners and providers about individuals' language needs.
  5. Inform health care practitioners and providers to help design programs to improve your health outcomes.

Impermissible uses of data

Race, ethnicity (cultural background) and language data will not be:

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

Notification of privacy practices

  1. Members will be told of First Choice's policies for use and protection of race, ethnicity (cultural background) and language data at the time of direct collection.
  2. First Choice may communicate its policies for use and protection of race, ethnicity (cultural background) and language data through its standard forms of communication (examples: member handbook, member newsletters, provider newsletters, website news and information, etc.).
Members