The privacy of our customers is of primary importance to First Coast Service Options Inc. (First Coast). When you visit one of First Coast's provider websites, First Coast does not collect any personally identifiable information (PII) about you, unless you choose to explicitly provide it. However, First Coast does collect some data about your site visit to better understand public use of the site and to make it more useful to visitors. Below is a description of the type of information that is automatically collected and stored during your site visit.

When you browse through any website, certain information about your visit may be collected. First Coast uses the WebTrends OnDemand Web analytics program to collect information automatically and continuously. First Coast uses this information to measure the number of visitors to its sites and their respective sections and to distinguish between new and returning visitors to help make the First Coast sites more useful to visitors. However, no personally identifiable information (PII) is collected.

The First Coast Web team conducts analyses and reports on the aggregated data from WebTrends OnDemand. The reports are only available to the First Coast provider website manager, members of the website staff, and other designated staff who require this information to perform their duties.

First Coast also uses online surveys to collect opinions and feedback from a random sample of visitors. First Coast uses ForeSee Results’ American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) online survey to obtain feedback and data on visitors’ satisfaction with the First Coast websites. This survey does not collect PII. Participation in the survey is voluntary. If you decline to participate, you will still have access to the identical information and resources on First Coast's provider websites as those who do decide to take the survey. Answers to the survey help First Coast improve its provider websites to make them easier to use and more responsive to the needs of site visitors.

The First Coast Web team conducts analyses and reports on the aggregated data from the ACSI survey. The reports are available only to the First Coast website manager, members of the First Coast website staff and other designated staff who require this information to perform their duties.

First Coast retains the data from WebTrends OnDemand and ACSI survey results only as long as required by law or needed to support the mission of the First Coast provider websites.

The Office of Management and Budget Memo M-10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies allows Federal agencies to use session and persistent cookies. As a subcontractor to one of those agencies -- the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services -- First Coast is permitted to utilize the same technology.

When you visit any website, its server may generate a piece of text known as a "cookie" to place on your computer. The cookie allows the server to "remember" specific information about your visit while you are connected. The cookie makes it easier for you to use the dynamic features of Web pages. Requests to send cookies from First Coast’s Web pages are designed to collect information about your browser session only; they do not collect personal information about you.

There are two types of cookies: “Temporary session cookies” (single session) and “persistent cookies” (multi-session). Temporary session cookies will last only as long as your Web browser is open. Once you close your browser, the temporary session cookie will disappear. Persistent cookies are stored on your computer for longer periods.

First Coast uses temporary session cookies for technical purposes such as improving navigation through its site. These cookies let First Coast’s servers know that you are continuing to visit its site. The temporary cookie is not permanently stored on your computer. The cookie and the information about your visit are automatically deleted shortly after you close your browser to end the session.

The OMB Memo 10-22 Guidance defines First Coast’s use of session cookies as “Usage Tier 1 -- Single Session.”  The policy says, “This tier encompasses any use of single session Web measurement and customization technologies.” 

The Office of Management and Budget Memo M-10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies  allows Federal agencies to use persistent cookies in addition to temporary session cookies. 

First Coast uses persistent cookies to help it recognize new and returning visitors to First Coast's provider websites. Persistent cookies remain on your computer between visits to the First Coast provider websites until they expire. First Coast does not use this technology to identify you or any other individual site visitor.

First Coast is running the ACSI on its provider websites, which use persistent cookies to block repeated invitations to take the ForeSee Results survey. First Coast also uses persistent cookies to enable its WebTrends OnDemand Web analytics program to measure how new and returning visitors use its provider websites over time.  

The OMB Memo 10-22 Guidance defines First Coast’s use of persistent cookies as “Usage Tier 2 -- Multi-session without Personally Identifiable Information (PII).”   The policy says, “This tier encompasses any use of multi-session Web measurement and customization technologies when no PII is collected.”

If you do not wish to have temporary or persistent cookies placed on your computer, you may disable them using your Web browser. If you decide to “opt out” of cookies, you will still have access to all information and resources the First Coast provider websites provide.

You can easily remove any cookies that have been created in the cookie folder of the most popular Internet browsers. Simply click the “Help” function on your browser and enter “cookies” to search for information on how to remove all or individual cookies.

You do not have to give First Coast personal information to visit the First Coast provider websites.

If you choose to provide First Coast with additional information about yourself through an email message, form, survey, et al., First Coast maintains the information only as long as needed to respond to your question or to fulfill the stated purpose of the communication.

First Coast will endeavor to protect the personal information you share with us. First Coast does not routinely disclose, give, sell, or transfer any personal information about its visitors, unless required by law enforcement or by statute. However, aggregate information may be shared as follows:

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, First Coast uses software programs to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage. In the event of authorized law enforcement investigations, and pursuant to any required legal process, information from these sources may be used to help identify an individual.