Privacy Notice
Providing your racial and linguistic identification information to the healthcare system is a voluntary, opt-in process. You’ll be able to provide this information when you apply for or renew your health card or when you register a birth. You will also be able to provide this information online at any time. This web-based form has been created to allow Nova Scotia residents and Medical Service Insurance (MSI) card holders who wish to provide their racial and linguistic identification to do so in a simple, accurate and secure manner.
Collection, Use and Disclosure
Information on this form will be collected, used and disclosed under the authority of the Personal Health Information Act. Only the minimum personal information/personal health information required to collect racial and linguistic identification information will be used (e.g., name, date of birth, health card number, etc.).
Information collected through this form will be securely stored and later transferred to Medavie Blue Cross, who is responsible for Nova Scotia Health Card (MSI) services on behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia. If needed, Medavie may contact the individual by phone to confirm their identity. The collected personal health information will be used by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness to identify and address unfair differences and inequities in healthcare.
Retention
Information collected through this form will be kept in accordance with the retention processes in place for the Nova Scotia Health Card (MSI) services on behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia.
Security Safeguards
The personal information submitted via this form is subject to the Government of Nova Scotia's security and privacy policies. Data captured through the form will be securely stored in the database that resides in the Government of Nova Scotia's secure Data Centre and will be transferred to Medavie Blue Cross weekly in an established secure manner. Access to the data will be restricted to a limited number of appropriately trained and authorized staff members on a need-to-know basis to provide technical or operational services and to perform the required analysis.
Service Providers and Partners
Medavie's data storage processes are in accordance with an agreement between the Province of Nova Scotia and Medavie Inc. The Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) conducts audits related to Medavie Blue Cross systems and operations on a regular basis.
All the third parties that work with DHW must comply with the Government of Nova Scotia and the Department's security/privacy policies and must meet the applicable obligations provided in the agreements and contracts.
If you choose not to use this online form, you may still submit your information by calling Medavie directly 902-496-7008 or Toll Free 1-800-563-8880 or contacting them via email: msi@medavie.ca.
Contact Information
If you have any privacy related questions, want to request access to information you provided in the form, want to access your personal health information or want to correct your personal health information, please contact:
Health Privacy Office
NS Department of Health and Wellness
1894 Barrington Street, PO Box 488
Halifax, NS B3J 2R8
1-855-640-4765 (toll-free)
Email: phia@novascotia.ca