Interoperability: Sendero Member Educational Information

The Interoperability and Patient Access rule (CMS-9115-F) was passed in 2020 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The rule allows you to access and share your health care information. As a Sendero member, you have more ways to see your health information in one place.

If you choose, you’ll be able to use a digital application (“app”) from another company  e.g. a third party application to see your health care and insurance information. You can do this even if you visit doctors in different clinics or have had insurance from different companies. Here are some things you should think about before you let a third-party application collect your health care data.

Important things to consider

It’s important for you to take an active role in protecting your health information. When deciding whether to allow an app or others to access your health information, you should look for an easy-to-read privacy policy that clearly explains how the app will use your data. If an app does not have a privacy policy, we advise you not to use it.

Sendero recommends using one of the apps listed in the member portal. The listed apps have been assessed for having sufficient privacy and security standards.

Please also think about these questions when making your decision on whether or not to allow an app to have access to your health information:

If the app’s privacy policy does not clearly answer these questions, you should reconsider using the app to access your health information. Health information is very sensitive. You should be careful to choose apps with strong privacy and security standards to protect it.

Your rights under HIPAA
You have important rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA is a federal privacy law that protects health information, including how it is stored and shared. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights enforces them with the HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules, and the Patient Safety Act and Rule. Sendero is subject to HIPAA, as are most health care providers, such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and dentists.

Important: Most third-party apps will not be covered by HIPAA. Most third-party apps are subject to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act, which is enforced by the FTC. The FTC, among other things, protects against deceptive acts (for example, if an app shares personal data without permission, even though it has a privacy policy that says it will not).

Find out more about patient rights and who need to follow HIPAA under HIPAA regulations
See a HIPAA FAQ
See FTC information on how to protect your privacy on apps

Filing a compltaint
If you believe an app has inappropriately used, disclosed or sold your information, you should contact the FTC. You may file a complaint with the FTC using the FTC complaint assistant.
If you believe HIPAA has been violated, you can file a complaint with the Office for Civil rights.
If you believe that your data has been breached or used inappropriately, you may also contact Sendero at Compliance@senderohealth.com.