GP Receptionist provided my Medical History to Insurance Company

Shinobi1

Thats correct but before submitting the response GP asked if they are happy with the content of the report they were sending to the insurance company - I read and agreed. 
when the insurance company chased to check with the GP the reception disclosed information which wasn't directly related and ultimately resulted in them saying it was a pre-existing condition. I didn't authorise the specific condition the receptionist to be released - thats why I'm posting. 
I okayed the actual report that was sent to the insurance company but not further documents that was released.

[Deleted User]

delete 123

Aretnap

Brie said:

Then why was the claim rejected?  If you had a broken arm from hang gliding but your history showed you have been a diabetic for 10 years does that invalidate your entire policy?  If so what's being diabetic got to do with having a broken arm?  Or is it that you didn't tell the claim company that you have been a diabetic for 10 years when you claimed for a diabetic related emergency? 

In most cases, failure to disclose facts when taking out the policy will invalidate the whole policy. It doesn't matter whether the undisclosed condition was directly relevant to the particular claim.

The exception would be if (a) the failure to disclose it was the result of carelessness, as opposed to deliberate, and (b) the insurance company would still have offered cover had it been disclosed, but would have excluded claims related to the condition (or perhaps charged a higher price).

In your example you would find that (a) was a big problem - you would have a hard time persuading anyone that you innocently forgot that you were diabetic while you were filling in the form. You might have more luck if it was a minor condition that you had a GP appointment about ten years ago and hasn't bothered you since. 

The_Fat_Controller

Sounds like you and your GP withheld information in the original report and subsequently that was disclosed.

That's not the way to deal with an insurance company !

Weighty1

I don't think you've got a hope.  You must have provided consent, presumably in a signed Access to Medical Records Act consent form.  This consents to the surgery sending out information to the said company.  It doesn't consent them to only sending out specific bits of info piecemeal fashion and doesn't expect them to regain consent every time the surgery sends new info out.

Out of interest, if the surgery had shown you what they were going to send out and you didn't consent to it, what do you think would have happened with the claim?

I'll tell you what.......................nothing.  It would've sat there until this information was provided.  On that basis, you were always on a hiding to nothing.

csgohan4

When the GP does these reports,  I understand they will answer what they are asked.  Usually very generic questions.

If something is put the on the form they want to delve deeper, they will request more info from the surgery, such as letters, consultation notes.

How do you think it would look if GP said, Patient advised us not to disclose as feel it 'isn't relevant' ?

Data breach is a separate issue, if there really is one in regards to consent. You may consent to seeing the report, but what about associated letters, consultations e,t.c where relevant at a later date?

MalMonroe

I understand your point and I would also be really annoyed if one of my GPs receptionists had taken it upon her/himself to discuss my insurance claim with the company. The company should have insisted on speaking to a GP. Sometimes GP receptionists appear to think that they have the right to discuss patients' details with whoever they please. 

Unless you specifically signed a document agreeing to your GP or their representative discussing you and your details, this has been a definite breach of data regulations and you should complain, in the first instance, in writing, to the Practice Manager at your GPs surgery.

I agree with other commenters here when they say that there would have been no difference to the outcome of your claim BUT the GPs receptionist should definitely not have discussed your case with anyone. That, for me is a big problem and should be addressed.

Sandtree

MalMonroe said:

Unless you specifically signed a document agreeing to your GP or their representative discussing you and your details, this has been a definite breach of data regulations and you should complain, in the first instance, in writing, to the Practice Manager at your GPs surgery.

These will normally be your GP surgery/practice you authorise... the concept of having a "your GP" is pretty much gone (around here anyway) plus in most practices there are those that like doing the paperwork type stuff and those that prefer poking !!!!!! lumps etc. Similarly when insurers ask for 300 pages of notes being photocopied its not the GP that stands there feeding them into the copier (have to be realistic about what doctors do themselves -v- what the support staff do)

csgohan4

MalMonroe said:

I understand your point and I would also be really annoyed if one of my GPs receptionists had taken it upon her/himself to discuss my insurance claim with the company. The company should have insisted on speaking to a GP. Sometimes GP receptionists appear to think that they have the right to discuss patients' details with whoever they please. 

Unless you specifically signed a document agreeing to your GP or their representative discussing you and your details, this has been a definite breach of data regulations and you should complain, in the first instance, in writing, to the Practice Manager at your GPs surgery.

I agree with other commenters here when they say that there would have been no difference to the outcome of your claim BUT the GPs receptionist should definitely not have discussed your case with anyone. That, for me is a big problem and should be addressed.

I think OP needs to get more info  before judgment can be made. It could have been a secretary who was asked for more additional info or letters after given the go ahead from the GP to send for example, which would be under the same consent form

GP's need to provide factual relevant info and not selective for your benefit as per their licensing requirements.  I.e they cannot lie

Secretary's also work as receptionist as well when it is busy

lisyloo

This might be more easily dealt with by booking a chat with the practice manager.