Health Information Disclosure
This disclosure explains how Intermarq Agency LLC handles health information you provide when applying for life, health, accident, Medicare, or final expense coverage.
Why we ask for it
Carriers require medical history, prescription, and, where applicable, examination information to underwrite and price your application. We collect and forward this information only to complete the specific application you request, and only with your authorization.
Our role and HIPAA status
Intermarq Agency LLC is an independent insurance agency, not a healthcare provider, health plan, or clearinghouse. We are not a HIPAA "covered entity." We may act as a "business associate" of a carrier only where a specific written business associate agreement (BAA) with that carrier says so — in that case, we handle the health information covered by that agreement under HIPAA's Privacy and Security Rules, including breach notification obligations. Where no such agreement applies, we still treat health information you provide as confidential and use the safeguards described below.
Who sees it
Health information is shared only as needed to complete your request: with the carrier you apply to; with underwriting support organizations such as MIB Group, prescription history databases, or medical examination providers, where the application requires it; and with our staff or agents directly assisting your application, on a need-to-know basis. It is not sold, and it is not used for marketing unrelated to your insurance application. We do not share it with unrelated third parties, and any subcontractor we use to process it is bound by contract to protect it and use it only for that purpose.
Authorization and your choices
Before we submit health information on your behalf, we obtain your authorization, typically as part of the carrier's application. You may withdraw authorization for future use at any time by contacting us, though this may affect our ability to complete a pending application. You may also ask us what health information we hold about you in connection with your application and request that we correct or delete information we control, subject to any retention we're required to keep for carrier, regulatory, or legal purposes.
Retention
We retain health information only as long as needed to complete and service your application, and as required by state insurance recordkeeping rules, then delete or de-identify it.
Security
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards intended to protect health information in transit and storage, and limit access to personnel who need it to process your request. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. Please avoid sending sensitive medical details by unsecured email; use our secure application links or speak with your agent by phone instead. If we become aware of unauthorized access to health information covered by a business associate agreement, we will notify affected individuals and the relevant carrier as required by that agreement and applicable law.