Privacy Notice

Introduction

Thank you for visiting the Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) web site and reviewing our Privacy Notice. This statement addresses how we collect, use and secure the information we obtain through your use of this web site. This notice covers the following topics:

• Information Collected and How it is Used
• Personal Information and Choice
• Security
• Disclaimer
• How You Can Contact Us

Information Collected and How it is Used

If you only browse, read pages, or download information, we will gather and store certain information. This information does not identify you personally. We automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

1. The Internet Protocol Address and domain name used. The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. We use the Internet Protocol Address to direct Internet traffic to you. This address can be translated to determine the domain name of your service provider (e.g. xcompany.com or yourschool.edu);
2. The type of browser and operating system you used;
3. The date and time you visited this site;
4. The web pages or services you accessed at this site; and
5. The web site you visited prior to coming to this web site.

The information we automatically collect or store is logged and used by MAA only to improve the content of our web services and to help us understand how people are using our services. MAA analyzes the web site logs to determine how our web site is being used, so we may continually improve the site's usefulness to the public.

If during your visit to our web site you send us an e-mail, we collect the contents of your e-mail message (including audio, video and graphics information) along with your return e-mail address. We use this information to respond directly to you, address the issues you identify in your e-mail, further improve our web site or forward it to another agency for appropriate action.

If you participate in a survey, information we collect is used to make improvements to the web site and collect demographic information on site use.

If you perform some other transaction online, information we collect will be used solely for the purpose outlined on the form.

Personal Information and Choice.

You may choose whether to provide personal information on-line.

"Personal information" is information about a natural person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes such things as an individual's name, address, and phone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.

We collect no personal information about you unless you voluntarily provide it to us by sending us email, participating in a survey, or completing an on-line form. You may choose not to contact us by email, participate in a survey or to provide any personal information using an online form. Your choice to not participate in these activities will not impair your ability to browse the MAA web site and read or download any information provided on the site.

If personal information is requested on the website or volunteered by the user, state law and the federal Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law.

If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact the DSHS Privacy Officer as shown in the Contact Information Section of this statement.

Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children on-line or by email will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access.

Security

The Medical Assistance Administration, as developer and manager of the MAA web site, has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information maintained by MAA. These measures are designed and intended to prevent corruption of data, block unknown or unauthorized access to our systems and information, and to provide reasonable protection of private information in our possession.

This information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided via MAA websites.

Disclaimer

MAA provides Internet links to sites of public and private organizations. When you link to this new site, you are no longer on the MAA site and this Privacy Notice will not apply. When you link to another web site, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site.

Please be aware that we do not create and maintain these sites and therefore, are not responsible for the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information presented at sites outside of MAA.

MAA Contact Information

MAA maintains this web site to enhance public access to information about the department's services. While we make every effort to keep this information as timely and current as possible, errors can occur. To correct errors or offer comments about this web site contact the mAA Webmaster at:

To offer comments about this web site:

maawebmaster@dshs.wa.gov

To offer comments about this Privacy Notice or present a privacy issue you may e-mail your comments or concerns to:

dshsprivacyofficer@dshs.wa.gov

Or you may contact the privacy officer by writing, faxing or calling as noted below:
 

     DSHS Privacy Officer
     PO Box 45115
     Olympia WA 98504-5115
     FAX (360) 902-7855
     Phone (360) 902-8278