Privacy Policy
Since its inception Custom Group Services has been committed to professional, personalized service. We are committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of personal information as it relates to employee benefits coverage with The Custom Group Services.
Personal information is defined as information concerning an identifiable individual. This includes, but is not limited to, all information concerning group and individual contract holders, covered members, dependents, and beneficiaries, particularly information concerning their health. Personal information does not include the name, title or business address, telephone number or e-mail address of employees.
Following are our ten privacy principles in keeping with our stated purpose, with the Canadian Standards Association’s Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information, and with Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.
1. Accountability Custom Group Services is responsible for maintaining and protecting personal information in its possession or control, including information that has been transferred to a third party for processing.
2. Identifying Purposes The purposes for which personal information is collected will be identified at or before the time the information is collected. This will generally be done through application or claim forms.
3. Consent The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information except where required or permitted by law.
4. Limiting Collection The collection of personal information will be limited to that which is reasonably necessary for the purposes identified by Custom Group Services.
5. Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention Personal information will only be used or disclosed for the purpose for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Personal information will be retained only if necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes. Custom Group Services will provide information concerning a client’s contract to a new broker if that client’s existing broker is no longer willing or able to provide service to the client, and the client has provided written consent.
6. Accuracy We will maintain personal information as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used. It remains the responsibility of the contract-holder and covered member to inform Custom Group Services of changes to personal information which may affect coverage.
7. Safeguarding Client and Member Information Personal information will be protected by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information. This principle is significant because Custom Group Services deals with highly sensitive information concerning the health of our clients. The security safeguards will protect personal information against loss or theft, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. The methods of protection will include:
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physical measures (eg. building access cards for employees, off-site backups, archiving);
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organizational measures (eg. limiting access on a “need-to-know” basis); and
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technological measures (eg. the use of passwords).