I want to thank everyone who helped me beta test our new Groupwise Attach Plus program. It is now in full release. If you want you can check it out here. I would love to hear what your thoughts are. Especially since California has enacted a new law makeing it illegal to send a document in or out of the state that has a social security number in it. Besides, it is just a good business practice to secure confidential information.
Copy of the law for those that this may impact:
California Law SB 168 (Debra Bowen) Identity Theft Prevention
Details on SB 168 - Social Security Number Restrictions
SB 168 prevents identity theft by taking Social Security numbers out of the public’s view and the easy reach of criminals by making it illegal for businesses to do any of the following for new accounts after July 1, 2002:
1. Post or display Social Security numbers;
2. Print Social Security numbers on identification cards;
3. Require a person to transmit a Social Security number over the Internet unless the connection is secure or the Social Security number is encrypted;
4. Require a person to use a Social Security number to log onto an Internet Web site unless used in combination with a password or other authentication device; and
5. Print a Social Security number on any materials mailed to a customer, unless it’s required by law, or the document is a form or application.
For most businesses, the Social Security number restrictions only apply on a going forward basis, as long as customers with existing accounts (opened before July 1, 2002) are allowed to opt-out of such uses at their request.
However, the health care and insurance industries must comply with the above requirements for all policies and accounts according to the following timeline:
* After January 1, 2003, health care and insurance businesses must comply with the restrictions in 1, 3, 4, and 5 above for all individual policy holders only (not group policies, such as employer groups).
* After January 1, 2004, health care and insurance businesses must comply with all Social Security number restrictions in the bill for all new individual policy holders and new group policies.
* By July 1, 2005, health care and insurance businesses must comply with all Social Security number restrictions in the bill for all existing policies.
The bill requires the health care and insurance industries to make reasonable efforts to cooperate, through systems testing and other means, to ensure that all are able to meet the deadlines in the bill. If a business is unable to meet the deadlines due to unforeseen circumstances, it may appeal to the Department of Managed Health Care for a one-time six-month extension.
Thanks again for all your help testing Attach Plus for Groupwise!
Kevin Basso
Development Manager
Attach Plus
Copy of the law for those that this may impact:
California Law SB 168 (Debra Bowen) Identity Theft Prevention
Details on SB 168 - Social Security Number Restrictions
SB 168 prevents identity theft by taking Social Security numbers out of the public’s view and the easy reach of criminals by making it illegal for businesses to do any of the following for new accounts after July 1, 2002:
1. Post or display Social Security numbers;
2. Print Social Security numbers on identification cards;
3. Require a person to transmit a Social Security number over the Internet unless the connection is secure or the Social Security number is encrypted;
4. Require a person to use a Social Security number to log onto an Internet Web site unless used in combination with a password or other authentication device; and
5. Print a Social Security number on any materials mailed to a customer, unless it’s required by law, or the document is a form or application.
For most businesses, the Social Security number restrictions only apply on a going forward basis, as long as customers with existing accounts (opened before July 1, 2002) are allowed to opt-out of such uses at their request.
However, the health care and insurance industries must comply with the above requirements for all policies and accounts according to the following timeline:
* After January 1, 2003, health care and insurance businesses must comply with the restrictions in 1, 3, 4, and 5 above for all individual policy holders only (not group policies, such as employer groups).
* After January 1, 2004, health care and insurance businesses must comply with all Social Security number restrictions in the bill for all new individual policy holders and new group policies.
* By July 1, 2005, health care and insurance businesses must comply with all Social Security number restrictions in the bill for all existing policies.
The bill requires the health care and insurance industries to make reasonable efforts to cooperate, through systems testing and other means, to ensure that all are able to meet the deadlines in the bill. If a business is unable to meet the deadlines due to unforeseen circumstances, it may appeal to the Department of Managed Health Care for a one-time six-month extension.
Thanks again for all your help testing Attach Plus for Groupwise!
Kevin Basso
Development Manager
Attach Plus