Notice:
Information regarding the NIHB Privacy Code
February 2005
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program of Health Canada
is pleased to provide you with a copy of the NIHB Privacy Code,
Version 5 dated February 2005 and privacy CD-ROM training material
for your information. We would like to take this opportunity to
thank everyone who provided comments on the previous version of
the NIHB Privacy Code. The valuable input has enabled the NIHB
Program to produce a document that sets out the Program's privacy
commitments to protect client privacy in an accountable and transparent
manner.
The NIHB Privacy Code provides the policies and guidelines that
ensure the secure and confidential handling of personal information
by First Nations and Inuit Health Branch employees administering
and managing the NIHB Program. As a living document, the NIHB Privacy
Code will be reviewed regularly, and updated to reflect any changes
in privacy requirements. The NIHB Privacy Code is currently available
in printed format and will also be accessible on-line on the Non-Insured
Health Benefits Website by early May 2005.
The Privacy Training Module is a privacy learning tool with three
sections. The first section contains the mandatory privacy training
for NIHB employees dealing with personal information. The second
section provides information to those who administer benefits on
behalf of the federal government through contribution agreements.
It summarizes responsibilities regarding the protection of clients'
personal information in accordance with confidentiality clauses
in the agreements. The third section "Training the Trainer" gives
advice and tips on conducting privacy training sessions in the
workplace. The NIHB On-Line
Privacy Training Module is currently available on CD-ROM and
will also be accessible on-line on the NIHB Website by early May
2005.
Additional copies of the NIHB Privacy Code and the Privacy On-Line
Training CD-ROM are also available by contacting the toll-free
NIHB Information number at 1-800-259-5611.
The Program would be pleased to accept advice on the Code at anytime
at the following email address: nihbprivacycode_comments@hc-sc.gc.ca
Should you have any questions or comments please contact the NIHB
Information number provided above.
Questions & Answers
1. How does the Non-Insured Health Benefit (NIHB) Privacy
Code, Version 5 dated February 2005 help to protect individual's
personal health information?
The NIHB Privacy Code helps protect a client's personal information
by ensuring that all NIHB employees are aware of NIHB privacy commitments
and their privacy responsibilities as a part of administering and
managing the Program.
2. As a First Nation or Inuit community or organization
do I have to follow the NIHB Privacy Code?
No, only Health Canada employees administering and managing the
NIHB Program must meet the Code's requirements.
3. If my community or organization is administering a
benefit such as NIHB medical transportation under a contribution
agreement, what confidentiality or privacy responsibilities do
I have?
In the standard contribution agreement there is a confidentiality
clause, which commits the organization to meet privacy standards.
The CD-ROM provides general information that communities and organizations
may want to use to ensure they meet the confidentiality requirements
of their agreements.
4. How will the NIHB Privacy Code be updated?
The NIHB Privacy Code will continue to be reviewed and revised
on an ongoing basis as federal privacy policies, legislation and/or
Program changes require. The NIHB Program would be pleased to accept
advice at anytime on its Privacy Code at the following email address: nihbprivacycode_comments@hc-sc.gc.ca
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