Your privacy
By continuing to use this website, you are acknowledging and agreeing to all of the practices described herein, as well as our terms of use and conditions which are incorporated herein by reference. Please read this policy carefully.
WellSense Health Plan (WellSense) is committed to protecting the privacy of its website visitors. This website should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a physician or healthcare professional. Healthcare information obtained from this website could be misinterpreted or inappropriate for your condition. If you have a question about your health, consult a physician or other healthcare professional directly.
WellSense assumes no responsibility for how the information obtained from its website is used or interpreted.
WellSense cannot provide any assurances that the contents of your electronic communications will not become known or accessible to third-parties, due to the nature of electronic communications. THE INTERNET IS NOT SECURE. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND AND STRONGLY ADVISE YOU NOT TO PROVIDE ANY CONFIDENTIAL OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET. IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO, IT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. ANY UNLAWFUL OR CRIMINAL CONTENT PROVIDED WILL BE SUBJECT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW.
Information collection, use, and disclosure
WellSense obtains information voluntarily from online visitors to fulfill online requests and forms. WellSense takes reasonable steps to protect the integrity and confidentiality of personally identifiable information that may be obtained through this website. Any information collected directly from our website visitors will be used to develop or improve our services and will not be sold to any third-party marketing companies. However, we may use certain tracking technologies and pixels as described in the section below, “How We Use Cookies, Pixels and other Tracking Technologies,” which may collect some types of personally identifiable information from our website users.
We may collect the following types of information from our website visitors:
- Details of your visits to our website, such as internet domain/host name, IP address, browser software and operating system, and the resources that you access, including, but not limited to, traffic data, location data, , including your IP address, the date and time you accessed or left the website, and the pages you viewed. As noted above, some parts of our website use cookies and other tracking technologies to collect this information about your general internet usage. See section below ‘How We Use Cookies, Pixels and other Tracking Technologies” to learn more.
- Information that you provide directly to us by filling in forms on our website, such as your name, email address and telephone number.
- Information provided if you fill out a survey or questionnaire such as email address and open feedback.
- Information provided to us when you communicate with us for any reason.
By submitting your telephone number to WellSense, you agree that a representative of WellSense, or a third party acting on our behalf, can contact you at the number you provide, potentially using automated technology (including texts/SMS messaging) or a prerecorded message. Your consent is not an obligation to receive any of our services.
In order to provide you with timely, efficient service in a cost-effective manner, information you provide to WellSense may be transferred to the appropriate WellSense authorized staff members who require access to the information for business purposes so they can deliver the service or information you requested.
WellSense may disclose personally identifiable information if required to by a search warrant, subpoena, court order, governmental regulations, to provide you with services or information that you request, to evaluate or conduct a merger, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution or other sale or transfer of some or all of our assets, whether as part of bankruptcy, liquidation or similar proceeding, in which personally identifiable information held by us about our website users is among assets transferred, and/or as otherwise permitted or required by applicable laws.
WellSense will not use information such as race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preference, religious beliefs, citizenship or immigration status for underwriting, rate setting or benefit determination. Providing this information is voluntary and will not impact your coverage or benefits with WellSense.
Please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices for our additional policy relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and our collection, use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI), as that term is defined by HIPAA.
WellSense collects email addresses voluntarily submitted by our online visitors and from authorized third-party vendors. Those email addresses are stored securely within various email distribution lists so WellSense can periodically send emails, such as newsletters, brochures and surveys. At any time, you may request to opt-out of the communications listed above by using the unsubscribe link in the email communication you received from us.
DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE OR EMAIL FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICES. CALL 911 OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE NUMBER.
Third-party website links
Where appropriate, relevant links are provided to third-party websites. WellSense is not responsible for the privacy practices, availability, accuracy or content of any website not owned or operated by WellSense. These links are provided to our online visitors as a convenient way to access helpful resources. A link to another website does not imply an endorsement by WellSense. Links to external websites will be evaluated periodically for appropriateness and can be removed at any time. We encourage online visitors to read the privacy statements of any third-party websites they may visit. WellSense does not accept any responsibility or liability for such third-party websites’ policies.
How we use cookies, pixels and other tracking technologies
We may also allow third parties to use cookies and other technologies to collect activity information and to track browsing activity over time and across third-party websites such as web browsers used to access our website, which websites are referring traffic or linking to our website, and to deliver targeted advertisements to you. Activity information is captured using various technologies and may include cookies. Cookies are small text files that may be placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. You may disable cookies and similar items by adjusting your browser preferences at any time; however, this may limit your ability to take advantage of all the features on our website.
Additionally, our website works with third-party products and services (“Service Providers”) to offer and present our website to you. These Service Providers may include Google, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, etc. and other Service Providers who help us track and analyze our website user activity, measure the effectiveness of our advertising efforts, and support the optimization of our digital campaigns.
Our website uses cookies, tracking pixels and related technologies that are set by WellSense or by our Service Providers. The information collected through these cookies and other tracking technologies is stored and retrievable either for the duration of the website visit (known as “session cookies”), or until they are deleted or are set to expire (known as “persistent cookies”).
Examples of information we and our Service Providers collect through the use of these technologies may include how often someone visits our website and what they do while on our website. We and our Service Providers use this information in the aggregate to understand how our visitors as a group use different resources and to help us improve our website. We and our Service Providers also collect information about the activity of individual website users. This information may be used to direct related WellSense advertising campaigns and/or informational content to website users when they visit other websites.
Most internet browsers accept cookies by default, but you can modify your browser preferences to block or restrict cookies if you do not want your web browsing activity tracked. To see the specific types of cookies the website uses, click here. Please note that some cookies are necessary for our website to operate and, as such, cannot be declined. However, such cookies do not collect any personally identifiable information. If you choose, you may use the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) WebChoices Tool to globally opt out of third-party tracking via website cookies. There are also a variety of other tools publicly available to manage cookies and similar technologies that collect information related to your use of our website. To learn more about cookies and modifying your browser settings related to these cookies you can review guidance from the FTC.
We are not responsible for the effectiveness or compliance of third-party opt-out mechanisms or programs. Please note that if you delete your cookies or upgrade your browser after having opted out, you will need to opt out again. Your opt out is specific to the browser you are using and the device you use to access the Site. Therefore, if you use multiple browsers or devices you will need to opt out on each browser or device. You can access the information on our website without enabling cookies in your browser, but disabling cookies may result in a diminished ability to take advantage of the services and related informational content on our website.
We also use web analytics and tag management services and tools provided by Google and other third parties to collect certain information relating to your use of our website. You can find out more about how Google uses data when you visit our website by visiting How Google uses data when you use our partners' sites or apps.
Our Service Providers may acquire additional information about your activity on our website, including pages you visit, access times, visit duration, how you arrived at our website and your IP address. An IP address is a number that identifies a device connected to the internet. For most devices, the IP address changes. Our Service Providers may also acquire device identifiers and specific information about the browser you use. In some cases, this information may be unique to you.
Additionally, our website uses pixels which are HTML code snippets that are loaded when a user visits a website or opens an email. It is useful for tracking user behavior and activity. With a tracking pixel, advertisers can acquire data for online marketing, web analysis or email marketing. If such data is analyzed in a particular way, the data collected through these pixels can be used for other purposes as well, for example retargeting/behavioral advertising.
For example, WellSense may deploy the Facebook Pixel on our website. The Facebook Pixel may enable Facebook to match website visitors with their Facebook User Accounts. You can find out more about how Facebook collects and uses data by clicking here.
If you’d like to disable these tracking pixels, there are a number of ways in which you can prevent your data from being collected by tracking pixels:
- Set browser and email settings to be as restrictive as possible such that external graphics are only supported after permission, and HTML emails are not supported. Appropriate firewall settings can also be used to do this.
- Some browser extensions can be used to make tracking pixels visible (e.g. PixelBlock, uBlock Origin, HTTPS Everywhere, etc.).
For more information about how targeted advertising works, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s (“NAI”) educational page.
You can opt out of specific third-party targeted advertising by visiting the settings pages of those third parties, such as:
Security
WellSense follows commercially suitable physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect on our website.
Nonetheless, the transmission of information via the internet is not completely secure and therefore we cannot guarantee the security of data sent to us electronically on our website, and transmission of such data is therefore entirely at your own risk.
Phishing scam awareness
Phishing is a technique used by online thieves to try to get you to disclose your personally identifiable information under false pretenses. Phishing scams begin with email messages that appear to come from popular websites or websites that you trust. These messages may include logos similar to your bank or credit card company’s logos. If you get an email message asking for personally identifiable information, do not reply or click on the link in the message.
WellSense will never request an online visitor to provide personal, health or financial information by email. Please notify WellSense at webmaster@wellsense.org immediately if you receive an email claiming to be from WellSense requesting personal, health or financial information.
Additional tips and resources about protecting yourself online can be found within the AARP Cyber Safety Handbook (PDF) or the OnGuardOnline website. The handbook also has a number of useful tips regarding shopping safely on the Internet, handling junk email and protecting your computer.
Users only of legal age of majority
Our website is designed and intended for those who have reached the age of majority (18 years of age). By using our website, you affirm that you are at least 18 years of age or older. We are not liable for any damages that may result from a user’s misrepresentation of age.
No one under age 13 is authorized to submit or post any information, including personally identifying information, on our website. Under no circumstances may anyone under age 13 use our website. Parents or legal guardians of children under 13 cannot agree to these terms on their behalf.
Policy modifications
WellSense reserves the right to change this policy at any time, without advance notice. However, if WellSense makes any material changes to this policy, we will notify you by posting a notice on our website. Please review this policy periodically to keep informed of any changes or updates. Any dispute arising out of the use of this website shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Indemnification
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU ARE USING THIS WEBSITE AT YOUR OWN RISK. THIS WEBSITE IS PROVIDED BY WELLSENSE ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS, AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. YOUR SOLE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THIS WEBSITE, WEBSITE-RELATED SERVICES, AND/OR HYPERLINKED WEBSITES IS TO STOP USING THE WEBSITE AND/OR THOSE SERVICES.
YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT YOU ARE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR BEHAVIOR ON THIS WEBSITE OR THE BEHAVIOR OF PERSONS UNDER YOUR CONTROL SUCH AS MINOR CHILDREN. YOU AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD HARMLESS WELLSENSE, ITS AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, STAFF, BUSINESS PARTNERS, LICENSORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND ANY THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS TO THE SERVICE FROM AND AGAINST ALL CLAIMS, LOSSES, EXPENSES, DAMAGES AND COSTS (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY AND INDIRECT DAMAGES), AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES, RESULTING FROM OR ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE, MISUSE, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS WEBSITE.
Copyright and trademark
All content on this website is the exclusive property of WellSense unless noted otherwise and is protected by copyright laws. The trademarks, service marks and logos of other organizations used on this website are the property of their respective owners. Online visitors may print or download information from this website for personal, noncommercial use only. The contents of this website may not be distributed, modified, reproduced, or used, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of WellSense. Requests can be sent to: webmaster@wellsense.org.
In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 512 (the DMCA) WellSense is registered as a Service Provider with the United States Copyright Office. Notifications of copyright infringement claims occurring within the WellSense network should be reported to the WellSense Marketing Department: webmaster@wellsense.org.
Any such notice must be in writing, and must include the following information as required by the DMCA:
- A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or the person authorized to act on its behalf
- A description of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed
- A description of the infringing material and information reasonably sufficient to permit WellSense to locate the material
- Your contact information, including your address, telephone number and email address
- A statement by you that you have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent or the law
- A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under the pains and penalties of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
How to contact us
Any questions or complaints with respect to this Privacy Policy should be directed to webmaster@wellsense.org.
Effective Date: August 24, 2023
Notice of Privacy Practices
This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.
You are leaving the WellSense website
You are now leaving the WellSense website, and are being connected to a third party web site. Please note that WellSense is not responsible for the information, content or product(s) found on third party web sites.
By accessing the noted link you will be leaving our website and entering a website hosted by another party. Please be advised that you will no longer be subject to, or under the protection of, our privacy and security policies. We encourage you to read and evaluate the privacy and security policies of the site you are entering, which may be different than ours.