COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS As a Premera member, you have the right to offer your ideas, ask questions, voice complaints and request a formal appeal to reconsider decisions we have made. Our goal is to listen to your concerns and improve our service to you. If you need an interpreter to help with oral translation, please call us. Customer Service will be able to guide you through the service. WHEN YOU HAVE IDEAS We would like to hear from you. If you have an idea, suggestion, or opinion, please let us know. You can contact us at the addresses and telephone numbers found on the back cover. WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS Please call us when you have questions about a benefit or coverage decision, our services, or the quality or availability of a healthcare service. We can quickly and informally correct errors, clarify benefits, or take steps to improve our service. We suggest that you call your provider of care when you have questions about the healthcare they provide.
Assistance in Litigation or Administrative Proceedings Covered Entity shall provide written notice to Business Associate if litigation or administrative proceeding is commenced against Covered Entity, its directors, officers, or employees, based on a claimed violation by Business Associate of HIPAA, the HIPAA Rules or other laws relating to security and privacy or PHI. Upon receipt of such notice and to the extent requested by Covered Entity, Business Associate shall, and shall cause its employees, Subcontractors, or agents assisting Business Associate in the performance of its obligations under the Contract to, assist Covered Entity in the defense of such litigation or proceedings. Business Associate shall, and shall cause its employees, Subcontractor’s and agents to, provide assistance, to Covered Entity, which may include testifying as a witness at such proceedings. Business Associate or any of its employees, Subcontractors or agents shall not be required to provide such assistance if Business Associate is a named adverse party.
GRIEVANCE PROCESS RIGHTS No grievant shall lose his/her right to process his/her grievance because of Management-imposed limitations in scheduling meetings.
Legal Action If you are dissatisfied with the determination of your claim, and have complied with applicable state and federal law, you are entitled to seek judicial review. This review will take place in an appropriate court of law. Under state law, you may not begin court proceedings prior to the expiration of sixty (60) days after the date you filed your claim. In no event may legal action be taken against us later than three (3) years from the date you were required to file the claim. For members covered by a group (employer sponsored) health plan, your plan may be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended. Under federal law, if your plan is subject to ERISA you may have the right to bring legal action under section 502(a) of ERISA after you have exhausted all appeals available under the plan. That means, for both medical and administrative appeals, federal law requires that you pursue a final decision from the plan, prior to filing suit under section 502(a) of ERISA. For a medical appeal, that final decision is the determination of the appeal. You are not required to submit your claim to external review prior to filing a suit under section 502(a) of ERISA. Consult your employer to determine whether this applies to you and what your rights and obligations may be. If you are dissatisfied with the decision on your claim, and have complied with applicable state and federal law, you are entitled to seek judicial review. This review will take place in an appropriate court of law.