Privacy Statement
Information Collected and Used
For purposes of this app, we may collect and use some of your personal information that you provide (e.g., your email, phone/text number, etc.).
BCBSIL may use one or more third-party analytics providers to gather certain information about how the app is used.
BCBSIL uses information to:
- Track the type of information that Users access on the App;
- Evaluate general App activity;
- Troubleshoot any problems with the App; and
- Enhance the App experience.
We may combine any of this information with other information that we have about you for data analytics, marketing and reporting, but only as permitted by law.
Data Security and Storage
Any communication between the App and BCBSIL is secured by Transport Layer Security (TLS), a technology used to encrypt personal and health information transmitted over the Internet.
Even though there are many benefits to using this App, as with all electronic communications there are some risks which may include:
- Failure of hardware, software and/or Internet connections; we are not responsible for failures, distortions, delays, or other problems resulting from equipment configuration, connection, signal power, hardware, software or any equipment used to access the Internet.
- No guarantee that the confidentiality or security of electronic transmissions via the Internet can be assured due to potentially unsecure computers and links. This could result in your data becoming lost or intercepted during transmission. Please use good judgment before deciding to send information via the Internet.
- Before saving your ID card to your digital wallet, you may need to use a third-party application(s) to access, view and save the ID card. Third-party applications may store a copy of the ID card. You have sole responsibility for the use of these third-party applications. Your use of these third-party applications may subject you to separate binding agreements and privacy statements. So, be sure to read each of those additional agreements and statements and have a working understanding of those terms.
BCBSIL adheres to accepted industry security standards that are designed to protect any non-public personal information when using this App against accidental or unauthorized use, access or disclosure. The technology we use is specifically designed for application servers. All your personal information resides in the United States of America in a secure database behind a firewall where it cannot be accessed without proper authorization.
You also have a responsibility to keep the personal information available on the App secure by keeping your account name and password confidential. This is important to prevent any unauthorized access to your account.
Miscellaneous
Relationship of the Parties
No confidential or other relationship, fiduciary or otherwise, exists between you and BCBSIL.
Governing Law
These Terms and your use of the App is governed exclusively by applicable U.S. federal laws and the laws of the State of Illinois only, without reference to its rules regarding choice of law.
Limitation of Liability
You understand and agree that by downloading the App to your device you are doing it at your discretion and risk. You will be solely responsible for any damages to your mobile phone or loss of data that results from such download and use. This includes use of the App on devices that have violated the license agreements of either their respective wireless carriers or device manufacturers.
BCBSIL and its licensors have no liability for any damages (whether direct or indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive) incurred by you resulting from your use of this App or the information you receive from or submit to this App.
BCBSIL and its licensors shall have no liability whatsoever for failure of electronic or mechanical equipment or communication, telephone or other connection problems, computer viruses, unauthorized access or interception of data from this App, theft, or errors. Use of an App is unlikely to be uninterrupted or error free. Interruptions of the App will occur from time-to-time for many reasons, such as when mobile coverage is not available from your wireless carrier and outages and periodic maintenance experienced/performed by your wireless carrier.
Ownership and Copyright Protection
All right, title and interest in the content (including software, text and images) and other intellectual property (including trademarks, service marks and copyrights) in this App are solely and exclusively the property of BCBSIL or its licensors, and are protected by intellectual property laws. Blue Cross, Blue Shield and the Cross and Shield symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. You acknowledge that content available through the App, including, without limitation, content of third parties is protected by copyright, trademark, patent or other intellectual proprietary rights and laws.
Dispute Resolution
All issues and questions in connection to the Terms of Use between BCBSIL, our licensors and you, regarding their interpretation, application, performance, nonperformance or breach, or any information received or otherwise relied on (collectively, "Dispute" or "Disputes") shall be resolved using alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as set forth in these Mediation/Arbitration Provisions. The Dispute Resolution terms described below apply only to your use of this App and are not applicable to the benefit rights you have under your health care plan.
Mediation/Arbitration Provisions
1. Initial Resolution by Meeting or Mediation of Dispute
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) or Authorized User (the "Notice Party"), as the case may be, shall deliver written notice to the other party (the "Receiving Party"), via certified mail, return receipt requested, of the existence of a Dispute (the "Initial Notice"), as follows:
If to BCBSIL:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
ATTN: Legal Department
300 East Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601-5099
If to Authorized User: At the last known address of record.
a. The Receiving Party has thirty (30) calendar days following the Notice Party's delivery of such notice to provide a prompt and effective remedy.
b. If the Receiving Party has failed to provide a prompt and effective remedy within thirty (30) calendar days following delivery of such notice, and the Receiving Party and Notice Party mutually agree that a meeting to attempt to resolve the Dispute would be advantageous, representatives of both parties shall meet not later than thirty (30) calendar days after delivery of the Initial Notice in order to attempt to resolve the Dispute. Subsequent meetings may be held, upon agreement of the parties.
c. If such a meeting has not been mutually agreed upon within thirty (30) calendar days of delivery of the Initial Notice, or if the Dispute has not been resolved within thirty (30) calendar days of commencement of any such meetings, the Notice Party shall submit the Dispute (the "Mediation Submission") to mediation by an organization or company specializing in providing neutral, third-party mediators. The mediation process shall be coordinated by the Notice Party with the mediator and shall be subject to the following agreed-upon conditions:
i. The parties agree to participate in the mediation in good faith;
ii. The parties agree to have present at the mediation one or more individuals with decision-making authority regarding the Dispute;
iii. Either party may, at its option, be represented by counsel;
iv. The mediation shall be conducted in English;
v. The mediation shall be held at a mutually agreed upon venue location in or near Chicago, Illinois, within sixty (60) days of the Mediation Submission, unless the parties mutually agree on a later date or an alternate venue location; and
vi. The parties shall each bear their own costs and shall each pay one-half of the venue location fee and the mediator's fees and costs, unless the mediator subsequently determines that one party did not participate in the mediation in good faith, in which case that party shall pay all the venue location fee and mediator's fees and costs.
2. Binding Arbitration
a. Any Dispute or portion thereof that remains unresolved thirty (30) calendar days after a Submission, either BCBSIL or Authorized User, on Authorized User’s own behalf and not as a representative of a purported class, shall submit the Disputes to final and binding arbitration (the “Arbitration Submission”) under the commercial rules and regulations of the JAMS/Endispute, subject to the following:
i. The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator selected by the parties from a list furnished by the JAMS/Endispute (the “Arbitrator”), provided that in the event of a conflict with the terms of these Mediation/Arbitration Provisions, the terms of these Mediation/Arbitration Provisions shall control. If the parties are unable to agree on such Arbitrator from the list, such Arbitrator shall be appointed by the JAMS/Endispute or in the alternative, each party shall select one arbitrator who, in turn, shall together select the Arbitrator who shall arbitrate the Dispute.
ii. The Arbitrator shall be required to render a written decision resolving all Disputes with the reasons therefore and designating one party as the “Prevailing Party” within sixty (60) days from the date of the Arbitration Submission.
iii. The costs of arbitration, including the venue location fee, Arbitrator’s fee and any reporting or other costs, but excluding lawyers’, consultants’ and witness fees, shall be borne by the non-Prevailing Party unless the Arbitrator subsequently determines as part of his or her award that such allocation is inequitable under the totality of the circumstances.
iv. The arbitration hearing shall be conducted in English and held at a mutually agreed to venue location in or near Chicago, Illinois, unless BCBSIL and Authorized User mutually agree to an alternate location.
v. Except with respect to any Dispute or portion thereof involving actual or alleged violation of BCBSIL’s or any of BCBSIL’s supplier's intellectual property, the Arbitrator shall not have power to award (A) damages inconsistent with the Terms of Use; or (B) punitive damages or any other damages not measured by the Prevailing Party’s actual damages, and the parties expressly waive their right to obtain such damages in arbitration or in any other forum.
vi. Any determination by the Arbitrator with respect to any Dispute shall be final and binding on each party. Judgment upon the award of the Arbitrator may be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction thereof.
b. Authorized User acknowledges that this Mediation/Arbitration Provisions preclude Authorized User from filing an action at law or in equity and from having any Dispute covered by this agreement resolved by a judge or a jury. Authorized User further acknowledges that these Mediation/Arbitration Provisions preclude Authorized User from participating in a class action or class arbitration filed by any other Authorized User or any other plaintiff claiming to represent Authorized User or Authorized User’s interest. Authorized User agrees to opt-out of any class action or class arbitration filed against BCBSIL that raises claims covered by these Mediation/Arbitration Provisions, including, but not limited to, class actions or class arbitrations that are currently pending.
c. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the parties hereto retains the right to seek judicial assistance to obtain interim measures of protection pending arbitration for alleged or imminent breaches of intellectual property rights, confidentiality restrictions or security obligations. In the event that either party seeks judicial assistance to obtain interim relief, or in the event that any dispute arises relating to arbitration, the sole jurisdiction and venue for such actions shall be the U.S. District Court located in or near Chicago, Illinois, or if there is no federal jurisdiction, in the state courts located in Illinois. Each of the parties to this Terms of Use hereby consents to exclusive personal jurisdiction, service of process and venue in the Illinois courts for such interim measures of protection and for disputes relating to arbitration.
