Last updated on:

March 28, 2011

Introduction:

Benchmark Independent Medical Examinations Inc. (Benchmark IME) is a privately owned Canadian Corporation that provides a comprehensive range of Occupational Therapy services and independent medical examinations (IMEs) ranging from paper/material reviews to complex multidisciplinary examinations/determinations to the automobile insurance, employer, and private sectors throughout the province of Ontario.

Benchmark IME’ privacy practices are governed by Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) as well as the federal statute, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Both PHIPA and PIPEDA establish rules that are applicable to the collection, use and disclosure of personal and personal health information handled by Benchmark IME.

Protecting privacy and the confidentiality of personal and personal health information has always been an important aspect of Benchmark IME’ operations. Benchmark IME is committed to collecting, using and disclosing personal and personal health information in a responsible manner and only to the extent that is necessary to enable us to carry out the services we provide.

Benchmark IME has developed a plain-language Privacy Policy for the purpose of complying with these rules, and to ensure that personal and personal health information is kept private and secure, and is treated with respect and sensitivity.  

What is Personal Information?

Personal information means identifying information about an individual, and includes, but is not limited to, the following: age, social insurance number, gender, marital status, driver’s license number, income, language preference, family members’ names, birthdates, third party information (e.g., your insurance company, employer, etc…), occupation and income, referral base, contact information, personal health information, and/or work history.

What is Personal Health Information?

Personal health information means identifying information about an individual relating to their physical or mental health (including medical history and family health history), the providing of health care to an individual (including the identity of the health care provider), payments or eligibility for health care, organ and tissue donation, an individual’s health number, and information that identifies an individual’s substitute decision maker.

The 10 Principles of Privacy:

Benchmark IME’ Privacy Policy has been developed to reflect the 10 principles of privacy that form the basis of both PHIPA and PIPEDA, as well as current standards of practice. The principles of privacy are as follows: Accountability; Identifying Purposes; Consent; Limiting Collection; Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention; Accuracy; Safeguards; Openness; Individual Access; and Challenging Compliance.

Amendment and/or Correction:

You may request access, amendment and/or correction of your personal and personal health information, or withdraw your consent in relation to our use and disclosure of your information by contacting our Privacy Information Officer (see below) and we will accommodate your request (subject to any legal exceptions).

Privacy Information Officer/Challenging Compliance:

Our Privacy Information Officer is Ms. Kelly Charlebois. For more information about our privacy practices, if you wish to review a copy of our Privacy Policy, or if you would like to raise a concern about our privacy practices please contact Ms. Charlebois. Her contact info has been outlined below:

          Benchmark Independent Medical Examinations Inc.

          303 – 165 Cross Ave.
          Oakville, ON   L6J 0A9
          905.827.4248 (phone)
          905.827.6085 (fax)

For more general inquiries or if you have a concern, contact the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. The contact information for these offices are:

          Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:

          112 Kent St.
          Ottawa, ON   K1A 1H3
          613.995.8210 (phone)
          1.800.282.1376 (toll free)
          613.947.6850 (fax)
          www.privcom.gc.ca

          Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario:

          1400 – 2 Bloor St. E.
          Toronto, ON   M4W 1A8
          416.326.3333 (phone)
          1.800.387.0073 (toll free)
          416.325.9195 (fax)
          www.ipc.on.ca