Website Terms & Conditions

GHC-SCW Website Terms & Conditions

Website Disclaimer

All pages on this website and any information, material, content or services made available on or through the website (including, without limitation, any materials made available for download) are provided subject to your compliance with the terms and conditions set forth below.

Please read the following information carefully. Your continued use of this website will indicate your agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth below. GHC-SCW may modify this agreement at any time, and such modification shall be effective immediately upon either posting of the modified agreement or notifying you. You agree to review this agreement periodically to ensure that you are aware of any modifications. Your continued access or use of this website shall be deemed your conclusive acceptance of the modified agreement. If you do not agree to be bound by the terms and conditions, promptly exit this website.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this website is presented for the purpose of educating consumers on health and wellness topics. Nothing contained in this site is intended to be instructional for medical diagnosis or treatment. We do not monitor the site for medical diagnostic or emergency health care purposes. The information should not be considered complete, nor should it be relied on to suggest a course of treatment for a particular individual. It should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site. Information contained in this site is not exhaustive and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions or their treatment. Should you have any health care related questions, call or see your physician or other qualified health care provider promptly, or contact your local emergency services in case of an emergency. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider with your health care related question or before embarking on a new treatment, diet or fitness program. The information on this website is intended to augment other sources of information and not as a substitute for the exercise of responsibility and diligence on the part of the customer.

The information contained in the site is compiled from a variety of sources. GHC-SCW and any and all staff, individuals, designees reserve the right not to respond to questions submitted on this site and do not represent or warrant that responses, if provided, will be posted in a timely fashion. Neither GHC-SCW nor its providers accepts responsibility for such materials, and use of the site is at your own risk.

Although GHC-SCW attempts to ensure the integrity and accuracy of this website, it makes no guarantees whatsoever as to the correctness or accuracy of the site. It is possible that the site could include inaccuracies or errors, and that unauthorized additions, deletions and alterations could be made to the site by third parties. In the event that an inaccuracy arises, please inform GHC-SCW so that it can be corrected. Information contained on this site may be changed or updated without notice. GHC-SCW and its representatives make no warranty as to the reliability, accuracy, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, completeness or suitability of the site or any content or information contained within it. GHC-SCW and its representatives cannot and do not warrant against human and machine errors, omissions, delays, interruptions or losses including loss of data. GHC-SCW and its representatives cannot and do not guarantee or warrant that files available for downloading from this site will be free of infection by viruses, worms, Trojan horses or other code that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. GHC-SCW and its representatives do not warrant or guarantee that the functions or services performed in the site will be interrupted or error-free or that defects in the site will be corrected.

Restrictions on Use

This site is the property of GHC-SCW. This site is protected by federal and international copyright and trademark laws. No portion of the materials on these pages may be reprinted, republished, modified or distributed in any form without the express written permission of GHC-SCW.

Trademark Notice

The Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin logo is the trademark and service mark of GHC-SCW. All other trademarks, service marks and logos used in this site are the trademarks, service marks or logos of their respective owners.

Warranty Disclaimer/Limitation of Liability

THIS SITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” WITH ALL FAULTS, WITH NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS, FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. YOU ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR YOUR ACCESS OR USE OF THIS SITE AND HYPERLINKED WEBSITES. GHC-SCW, IT’S AFFILIATES, ANY PHYSICIANS OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS ANSWERING INQUIRIES, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS, ARE NEITHER RESPONSIBLE NOR LIABLE TO YOU UNDER ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY OR INDEMNITY IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR ACCESS OR USE OF THE SITE. NOTHWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, GHC-SCW AND ITS AFFILIATES, ANY PHYSICIANS OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS ANSWERING INQUIRIES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE SITE AND/OR ANY HYPERLINKED WEBSITE. YOUR SOLE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SITE AND/OR HYPERLINKED WEBSITES IS TO STOP USING THE SITE AND/OR THOSE HYPERLINKED WEBSITES.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless GHC-SCW, its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents from and against all losses, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorney fees resulting from any violation of the agreement.

Confidential and Proprietary Information

It is the policy of GHC-SCW to comply with all applicable laws and regulation relating to its use of confidential information to the extent such laws apply to it and its operations. In addition to any other uses, we may use your information to communicate with you regarding the use of the site or to inform you of changes to the site or products and services that we think you may wish to know about. Uses of personal information include without limitation using personal information in maintaining the site, analyzing statistical use problems or evaluating where users link to the site from and where they go. Using information in this way enables us to better serve you and to present a website that best suits your needs. GHC-SCW may share such information as is necessary among our affiliates in order to provide you with the information and services you request. We may disclose information to the extent we believe to be necessary in order to comply with any law, rule, court order or subpoena. We may keep statistical and other data about you and other users of our site, and we may share this information with third parties.

Privacy

GHC-SCW is committed to providing health care services consistent with the very highest standards of ethics and integrity. Each employee is required to uphold a personal obligation to use health information only for legitimate work-related purposes and to exercise extreme caution in doing so. GHC-SCW has designated a Privacy Officer responsible for developing, coordinating, monitoring and facilitating the organization’s compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing these processes. Staff receives ongoing training and education and reminders to protect our patient’s privacy rights. Access and use of protected health information is audited for appropriateness and staff are required to confirm such use.
GHC-SCW employees are trained to exercise sensitivity, compassion and respect for the private information entrusted to us by our valued members.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal regulation created to ensure that patient’s health care information remains private and secure. HIPAA consists of several components, including the Privacy Rule, Security Rule and most recently the modification to the these rules under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) in July, 2010.

One of the provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule relates to the Notice of Privacy Practices. This document must be developed, distributed and applied to both staff at GHC-SCW and, very importantly, to our valued patients. The Notice describes the patient’s privacy rights and the responsibilities of GHC-SCW to ensure protections and security of protected health information (PHI). It is posted at the entrance to each of our clinics, provided when patient enrolls for health insurance and every three years subsequently. The Notice is always available on the GHC-SCW website and upon request from the clinic receptionist or by contacting the Member Services Department at (608) 828-4853 or (800) 605-4327, and requesting member services.

Security

Except where otherwise noted, GHC-SCW does not use encryption technology to protect the information that we collect from you. If any information you send is misdirected or intercepted, it can be read by others. Accordingly, do not send confidential information or specific personal information related to a medical condition to us through the site or e-mail. Choose, use and save your passwords for the GHC-SCW site and others you visit carefully. GHC-SCW has no control over your use of passwords and cannot tell whether someone else is accessing the site under your password. We cannot be responsible for your use of passwords or for unauthorized access to the site under your password.

Use of Email

Because email is not considered a secure transmission, GHC-SCW employees are prohibited from using email for communication with patients. This provision is applicable whether the email might contain protected health information or not.

GHCMyChart

GHCMyChart^SM is a web-based version of our electronic record system that provides you with secure access to your health and insurance information. GHC-SCW is not required to offer our members GHCMyChart^SM but we do provide it as an added feature designed to enhance your care and treatment. GHCMyChart^SM does not contain a complete copy of your medical or insurance record, and it does not replace or eliminate the need for you to contact GHC-SCW via telephone or in person. In some cases, you may still have to submit requests for information using conventional paper processes, such as when you request a copy of your medical record or, if you are seeking certain test results not available, in accordance with GHC-SCW policy for GHCMyChart^SM or other electronic processes. Additionally, GHC-SCW may not be able to provide you with certain information due to the limitations of electronic technology available in this product.

GHCMyChart^SM is subject to these Terms and Conditions of Use as well as those outlined in the GHCMyChart^SM product.

GHC-SCW Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

GHC-SCW maintains its health and insurance information in an electronic format. Stringent privacy and security measures are taken to ensure protection of this information in all aspects of its business practices. Protected Health Information (PHI), insurance information and information of another nature related to our services is provided to employees and others in accordance with applicable laws and regulations using the principle of role-based access. Role-based access provides the user only with that information necessary to conduct the functions described in their daily work. For example, a receptionist responsible for making appointments would not be allowed to access the patient’s prescription information.

GHC-SCW also exchanges electronic information with our health care partners when the patient is receiving care from both organizations. The same protections are in place for internal and external information exchange. Use of electronic technology is also utilized through automated appointment reminders and call recording for quality assurance purposes. GHC-SCW will monitor evolving electronic technology, evaluate and implement with appropriate assurances of their privacy and security protections.

Cookies

“Cookies” are small bits of information that are stored by your browser onto your hard drive as you visit web pages. We may use these tools for purposes such as monitoring the traffic flow of visitors from other sites. Most Web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you may be able to change your browser settings to prevent this. Contact your internet service provider for more information.

Fraud and Abuse Awareness Statement

GHC-SCW takes matters of fraud and abuse very seriously. Strict policies and procedures related to health care fraud and abuse and identity theft are in place to ensure that staff is vigilant in identifying warning signs and responding quickly and appropriately. Special efforts are made to verify the patient’s address, phone number, member number and appropriate use of GHC-SCW resources. We pledge to exercise extreme caution with the storage, use and disclosure of sensitive information in all of our business practices. To report suspected or known fraud and abuse, call GHC-SCW Member Services at (608) 828-4853 or (800) 605-4327, and request Member Services.

Links or Pointers to Other Sites

GHC-SCW makes not representations whatsoever about any other website that you may access through this site. When you access a non-GHC-SCW site, please understand that it is independent from GHC-SCW and that
GHC-SCW has no control over the content on that website. In addition, a hyperlink to a non-GHC-SCW site does not mean that GHC-SCW endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or the use, of the linked site. It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever you select for your use or download is free of such items as viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other items of a destructive nature. You are encouraged to use discretion while browsing the internet on searches initiated at the site. GHC-SCW links may lead unintentionally to sites containing information that some people may find inappropriate or offensive. It may also lead to sites that contain inaccurate information, false or misleading advertising, or information that violates copyright, libel, or defamation laws. GHC-SCW, its affiliates and providers make no representations concerning any effort to review the content of such sites.

User Representations

You represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age and that you possess the legal right and ability to enter into this agreement and to use the website in accordance with this agreement. If you are not 18 years of age, you are not permitted to use this website and must exit now. You agree to be responsible for your use of the website and to comply with your responsibilities and obligations as stated in this agreement.

Choice of Law and Venue

These website Terms and Conditions of Use are entered into the State of Wisconsin and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Wisconsin, exclusive of its choice of law rules. Each party to these website Terms and Conditions of Use submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the County of Dane in the State of Wisconsin, and waives any jurisdictional venue or inconvenient forum objections to such courts. In any action to enforce these website Terms and Conditions of Use, GHC-SCW will be entitled to all costs and attorney fees it incurs. In the event that any of the website Terms and Conditions of Use are held by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, such provisions shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these website Terms and Conditions of Use shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

This site is not targeted to users in any particular locality, nor is it intended to constitute the doing of business in any jurisdiction, nor to be a solicitation of business anywhere on behalf of GHC-SCW or any of its affiliated entities, nor to constitute any contacts with any jurisdiction outside of the state of Wisconsin. Any cause of action or claim you have regarding the site must be commenced within one year after the claim or cause of action arises or the claim or cause of action is barred. Notice may be given to you as a user of this site by posting information to this site.

Corrections and Updates in Your Information

If you have questions or concerns about the use of information on this website, please bring it to our attention. While we will investigate any concern that you may have regarding the collection and use of information on this site, the sole remedy to objections over that collection and use remains for you to discontinue use.

Entire Agreement

These website Terms and Conditions of Use constitute the entire agreement between GHC-SCW and you pertaining to the subject matter hereof. In its sole discretion, GHC-SCW may modify these Terms and Conditions of Use by notifying you or by posting the revised version on this website.

No Unlawful or Prohibited Purpose

As a condition of your use of this website, you warrant to GHC-SCW that you will not use the site for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these website Terms and Conditions of Use.