We distinguish between three types of information on this website:
- Anonymous information that is not tied to a person
- Personal contact information such as your name, phone number, or e-mail address
- Personal health information such as your individual symptoms, medical condition or health history
The sensitivity is different for each type of information, so we handle them differently.
Anonymous Information and Use of Cookies and Log Files
Like most websites, we use "session cookies" to enable you to make choices on the screens and to smoothly navigate from page to page. We may also use "persistent cookies" to prevent you from having to re-enter information each time you return to the website (for example, if you check the "Remember Me" option on a registration screen).
Cookies are small files that are stored on your computer's hard drive that enable the website to recall information, such as which options you clicked on the previous screen. We do not use cookies to collect personal contact information and we don't store any personal contact information in them. So, unless you have specifically provided us your personal contact information, we don't know who you are.
You may delete these cookies from your hard drive at any time, by following the instructions in your software. If you do provide us your personal contact information, we may match it to these cookies to save you time on return visits and improve your website experience. You may also have the option to set your browser to reject cookies from our website. If you choose this setting, you may still use the website, but some features might not work correctly.
Like most websites, we also use log files to gather broad statistical information. This may include: how many people visit our website, which features and pages they use, which search engines or other websites they use to find our site, what type of computer and software they use, which Internet service providers (ISP) they use, what Internet protocol (IP) addresses they come from and what they search for on our website.
This is general demographic information that does not identify a specific individual. We use it to manage our website, to ensure it meets user needs and to ensure it is compatible with the software and equipment our visitors use most. If you provide us your personal information, we may also match the data in our log files to your information to improve our content and tailor our communications to your needs.
Protection Against Inappropriate Use
While we welcome anonymous users, we do monitor this website, our servers and our incoming and outgoing e-mail to ensure it is not being used for illegal or malicious purposes. To protect the well-being of our patients, residents, and employees, we also monitor e-cards, e-mails, and other communications you send through this website. If you use any of our systems for illegal or malicious purposes, such as sending viruses, threats or hate mail, or attempting to alter or damage the website, we may attempt to trace your identity. We also will cooperate with the appropriate legal authorities, who may be able to use information we collect plus information from your Internet service provider to identify you.
Personal Contact Information
We collect personal contact information (such as name, phone number or e-mail address) only if you provide it to us, and we absolutely never sell any kind of personal information. There are several places on our website where you may be asked to enter contact information:
Registration
Some tasks on this website, such as signing up to receive e-mail newsletters or registering for a class, may require you to complete a registration form. We use this information to fulfill your request and we may send you other information related to your interests. (See also How can I correct my personal information or stop getting information I no longer want from you?)
If you check the box that says, "Remember Me," we may also place a cookie on your hard drive to prevent you from having to re-enter information each time you return to the website. You may delete this cookie from your hard drive at any time by following the instructions in your software, but you may have to re-enter some information the next time you visit.
Contact Us
If you click on "Contact Us" or any e-mail hyperlink on our website, we will ask you to identify yourself. We will use this information to respond to your question and we may send you other information related to your interests. We may also record the type of computer or software you used to access our website, or what page you were viewing when you selected "Contact Us." We use this information to clarify your question and to troubleshoot any problems you report in using our website.
Personal Health Information
You may choose to create a MyChart account and to use features such as Appointment Request or Prescription Renewal that will ask you to share personal health information with us. We do not collect this information unless you provide it.
We use personal health information only in ways that comply with the law and with any consent or authorization forms you have signed. We maintain your personal health information in secure systems and have measures in place to avoid loss or misuse of your information. For example, we use Secure Socket Layers (SSL) and other state-of-the-art encryption technology to protect your information while it is being transmitted to and from this website. We do not send personal health information via e-mail. You will be required to log in in order to view your personal health information.
Personal health information is used only by authorized MyMichigan employees, affiliates and business associates who need to know it in order to provide specific and defined services on our behalf. We do not share it with any other third parties and we absolutely never sell any kind of personal information. If you have further questions about how we collect, store and use personal health information, please review our Medical Information Privacy Policy or contact our Privacy Officer at (989) 839-3255.
Since there is always a risk that someone could intercept an un-encrypted message over the Internet, we advise you not to share personal health information via e-mail or outside of your MyChart account. If you send us a question that requires us to discuss your personal health information, and you do not have a MyChart account, we may write back asking you to contact us by phone. This is an extra precaution to protect your privacy.
If you provide us your personal contact information through this website, and if you also share personal health information with us through other channels, we may compare this information to tailor our communications to your needs.
A business associate is a person or organization we have contracted with to assist us in certain business activities that may involve the use or disclosure of protected health information as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") The business activities may include, among other things, billing and claims processing; quality assurance; utilization review; data processing; information system administration; legal or accounting services; data aggregation; accreditation and consulting services. Members of our workforce are not considered business associates under HIPAA.
Enhancing Your Profile
Sometimes we purchase third party data and add it to our existing user database to better target our communications efforts. If you have shared personal contact information with us, we may compare this purchased data to your information to better understand your needs and preferences.
In addition to fulfilling your specific requests and responding to any questions you send us, we may also contact you in these situations:
Welcome and Confirmations
If you register on our website, we may send you a welcoming e-mail to verify your e-mail address. If you register for a class or event, we may contact you to verify your information or send you a confirmation of your reservation.
Newsletters
We only send e-mail newsletters if you request them. We try to tailor these newsletters to your expressed interests or geographic location. If you change your mind about receiving information from us, you may update your preferences by using the links provided in the e-mail newsletters that you receive.
Health Information and Other Updates
If you share your personal contact information with us through this website, visit our facilities or live in communities we serve, we may periodically send you information. This may come through e-mail, postal mail or other methods. If you no longer wish to receive communications from us, you may call the MyMichigan Health Line at (800) 999-3199 to update your preferences.
Website Maintenance or Changes
We may occasionally need to notify registered users of maintenance outages or other changes that impact how they use our website or our e-mail newsletters.
While we strive to protect user privacy, we may disclose user information when required by law or in these circumstances:
Maintaining the website
Our employees, affiliates and business associates may need to access user information to maintain the website. This information typically is not linked to personal health information, and when it is, the employees, affiliates and business associates must have a need to know and follow other strict practices to protect the privacy of this information. The companies that maintain our website are business associates who have signed confidentiality agreements with us.
Fulfillment
We may use outside companies to ship information or goods you order, process credit cards or perform other transactions you request through the website. We do not share personal health information with these companies. We share only the information they specifically need to process your transaction.
Business Transitions
If MyMichigan Health goes through a business transition (such as a merger, acquisition, or selling a portion of its assets) it is likely that users'; personal information will be part of the assets transferred. If this occurs, we will post a prominent notice on our website and if possible, attempt to contact users who have provided us their e-mail addresses. This notice will tell you whether the new owner of your information intends to use it differently from our previous practices or from your expressed preferences, so that you can exercise your rights.
Personal Contact Information
If you want to update your personal contact information, specify the type of information you receive from us, or stop receiving communications from us, you may update your registration by calling the MyMichigan Health Line at (800) 999-3199. If you request us not to send you any more information, we need to keep a record of this preference. Therefore, we do not delete your information, but rather "deactivate" it so that we don't send you any more unsolicited information.
E-mail Newsletter Subscription
If you want to stop receiving our e-mail newsletter or change your subscription preferences, you may do so by using the links provided in the e-mail newsletters that you receive.
Personal Health Information
You may update the information in your MyChart account by logging into your account and editing your profile. However, this will not change the information in your medical records. If you wish to update your medical records, please contact your health care provider or the facility where you received the medical care. You may also have signed consent or authorization forms that determine how we use personal health information and the personal contact information that is tied to it. If you wish to revoke or alter a consent or authorization, please contact our Privacy Officer at (989) 839-3255.
We use a professional website hosting company to maintain the security of our website information. This company has state of the art security measures, including protection against fires and other natural disasters, methods to detect and respond to "hacking" (attempts to access or alter the data from outside the server environment), strict change control procedures, data backup and restoration processes, and the use of encrypted firewalls and other security technology.
The hosting company is also a business associate of MyMichigan Health, which means they have signed confidentiality agreements with us, and they comply with the privacy requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and other laws that protect the privacy of your personal health information.
If we change our privacy statement, we will post the new statement on the website. Therefore, you should stay informed by periodically visiting our website.
If you have provided us your e-mail address, and if we significantly change how we will use your information, we may e-mail you directly so that you can choose whether to continue sharing your information with us.
This privacy statement applies only to information collected by this website. For your convenience, this website may offer links to other websites. However, these sites may not adhere to the same privacy standards as MyMichigan Health and its affiliates. We encourage you to read the privacy statements of other websites that you visit, so you understand how they are using your information.
If you have questions or concerns about this privacy statement or how we collect, store and use information on our website, please contact our webmaster.
If you have questions about how we protect your privacy at our healthcare facilities or in other communications, please review our Medical Information Privacy Policy or contact our Privacy Officer at (989) 839-3255.
