GP Receptionist provided my Medical History to Insurance Company

prowla

I don't see how a receptionist (or anybody) should give out confidential patient details on the basis of a phone call alone.

Tigsteroonie

prowla said:

I don't see how a receptionist (or anybody) should give out confidential patient details on the basis of a phone call alone.

As an obvious follow-up to a previously written request for information, to clarify points within the response, I certainly can. As noted by a previous poster, practice secretaries (they are not all receptionists) can do this so as to keep the GP's time free from admin.

The_Fat_Controller

@prowla, have to agree with @Tigsteroonie, entirely possible that the patient file had notes saying information could be disclosed by the practice.

It really doesn't matter who answered the phone.

csgohan4

prowla said:

I don't see how a receptionist (or anybody) should give out confidential patient details on the basis of a phone call alone.

depends, if the insurer requested more info, usually secretary will do so via the GP in a form of a written report or letters requested to be emailed/sent

lassfarfromhome

The consent you gave for the GP to provide the info to the insurers is very likely to be deemed to include consent for admin people at the surgery to confirm things.  Question is, if the info the receptionist provided had been provided by the GP, would the consent you gave cover it?  If so, it's likely fine for them to have done it

lassfarfromhome

Also, you were decline cover because your policy doesn't cover pre-existing conditions.  no way insurers would pay out without satisfying themselves you are covered, so the actions of the receptionist didn't change whether you were covered or not.  

dunstonh

I don't see how a receptionist (or anybody) should give out confidential patient details on the basis of a phone call alone.

Why shouldn't they?    

Telephones are a valid communication method.    There are processes in place to verify identity. 

Marvel1

Tigsteroonie said:

prowla said:

I don't see how a receptionist (or anybody) should give out confidential patient details on the basis of a phone call alone.

As an obvious follow-up to a previously written request for information, to clarify points within the response, I certainly can. As noted by a previous poster, practice secretaries (they are not all receptionists) can do this so as to keep the GP's time free from admin.

As it should be, GP attend to patients not fluff around with admin stuff.

The OP lied to the insurer and never disclosed the pre-existing condition and has been caught out, looking for excuses to blame someone else.