Releasing Medical Records to Insurance Companies (2024)

Releasing Medical Records to Insurance Companies (1)When accident victims seek compensation for medical bills stemming from their injuries, the insurance company may require substantial proof of the harm they have suffered. Due to state and federal privacy laws, an insurance company must obtain a claimant’s written permission in order to access medical records. While an injury victim has the right to refuse permission, doing so will almost certainly result in denial of the insurance claim.

Signing a Medical Release

Injury victims may send copies of their accident-related medical records to a claims adjuster when filing an insurance claim. However, adjusters often aren’t satisfied with this proof, so they will ask the claimant to sign a medical release form. This permits the insurance company to review the claimant’s medical history, including those records unrelated to the accident. While the adjuster really only needs to view records directly related to any accident injuries, the insurance company’s medical release often has a much broader scope.

The Scope of the Medical Release

Insurance adjusters often want to broaden the scope of a medical release, since access to all of a claimant’s medical records gives them more opportunities to deny a claim. The insurance company may argue that evidence of previous or pre-existing injuries is grounds for nonpayment of a current injury claim. There is no need, however, for any injury victim to sign a blanket release. Instead, the scope of a signed release should be limited to treatment of only those injuries sustained during the accident.

It Is Important to Speak With an Attorney First

If you’ve been injured in a vehicle collision or another type of accident, don’t sign the insurance company’s release until you have consulted an attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney can ensure that you only provide information to the insurance company that is in your best interest. Your attorney will help you work with the insurance adjuster without compromising your claim. To learn more, contact the Injury & Disability Law Center by using the form on this page.

Releasing Medical Records to Insurance Companies (2024)

FAQs

Releasing Medical Records to Insurance Companies? ›

Due to state and federal privacy laws, an insurance company must obtain a claimant's written permission in order to access medical records. While an injury victim has the right to refuse permission, doing so will almost certainly result in denial of the insurance claim.

Should I release medical records to an insurance company? ›

NEVER sign a release granting the insurance company the right to access any of your medical information directly. Privacy laws guarantee the freedom to turn over only the medical records you choose to disclose.

What does it mean when insurance asks for medical records? ›

If an insurance company is seeking access to your entire medical history, it is likely that they're looking for a pre-existing condition that could have caused your current injury. You are not legally required to share information about your pre-existing conditions when filing a personal injury claim.

How far back do life insurance companies look at medical records? ›

When initially underwriting a life insurance policy, life insurance companies sometimes check up to 10 years of an applicant's medical records.

What does signing a medical release mean? ›

A medical release is a document that gives your medical providers permission to disclose your medical information to other people. In the case of an insurance release, it gives your medical providers permission to give your information to an insurance company.

What is necessary to release a patient's record to the patient's insurance company? ›

Due to state and federal privacy laws, an insurance company must obtain a claimant's written permission in order to access medical records. While an injury victim has the right to refuse permission, doing so will almost certainly result in denial of the insurance claim.

What is necessary in order to authorize release of medical information to an insurance carrier? ›

What is necessary in order to authorize release of medical information to an insurance carrier? A medical release from the patient is needed.

Why do insurance companies ask for recorded statements? ›

Insurance adjusters will ask for a recorded statement as they are gathering information soon after the accident. This helps them to determine fault and how much compensation should be paid. Everything you say in your statement will be transcribed and put into a document, which becomes part of your claim file.

Do insurance companies share information with each other? ›

Do auto and homeowners insurance companies share my information about claims and policies? Yes. There are specialty consumer reporting agencies that collect information about the insurance claims you have made on your property and casualty insurance policies, such as your homeowners and auto policies.

Why do payers want access to medical records? ›

Payers review the record to make sure the claim and record information match, so they can determine if the claim has been overpaid and recoup funds if necessary. These audits are typically time sensitive and due within 30 to 45 days of the date on the request letter.

How to get a diagnosis removed from medical records? ›

Once you identify something you want to change, contact your healthcare provider and request a form for making amendments. Be clear with your request. Upon receiving it, your provider will have 60 days to act on your request. Your provider is not required to make the requested change.

What medical history affects life insurance? ›

Family Medical History

Expect a life insurance application to ask about your family's health. The medical history of your immediate family (parents and siblings) can affect your life insurance rates, especially a history of: Cancer (breast, colon, prostate, pancreatic and others) Melanoma.

What happens if you lie about not having health insurance? ›

Insurance fraud is a felony punishable by up to five years in state prison and a $50,000 fine.

How does a medical release work? ›

Depending on the scope of the document, the form may authorize releasing of specific types of a patient's medical record or condition with the patient's family, insurance providers, other doctors, attorneys, or anyone who is authorized to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient, such as a school, a parent or ...

What do you write in a medical release? ›

  1. Patient information. Whose health records do you want? ...
  2. Clinic, hospital, care provider. Who has the information you want? ...
  3. Date of Services. Who has the information you want? ...
  4. Information to be released. ...
  5. Receiving party or destination of records. ...
  6. Purpose of release. ...
  7. Expiration date or duration of consent. ...
  8. Release instructions.

Why is a medical release form important? ›

As the primary purpose of a medical record authorization is to protect the patient's privacy and you against any litigation, any medical record that you accept or have your patient sign must contain the necessary parts that can hold up in court.

Should I release all my medical records to workers' comp in California? ›

If you do not release your medical records, they will likely deny your claim. However, you do not have to release all of your medical records. They only need prior medical history, treatments, and claims that are directly relevant to your work injury.

Is it important to keep medical records? ›

Thorough and accurate documentation mitigates risks and reduces the chance of a successful malpractice claim. A well-documented record serves as evidence of treatment and care, helping to alleviate liability concerns in the event of a claim.

What is a patient authorization form for insurance claims? ›

What are insurance medical authorization forms used for? If you have been involved in an accident, the at-fault party's insurance company may ask you to sign a medical authorization form. This form means that you consent to this insurance company receiving your medical records.

What is the privacy rule for Hipaa? ›

The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals' medical records and other individually identifiable health information (collectively defined as “protected health information”) and applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain ...

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