Advice on providing NHS number for insurance claim

Skipsonrecord

Hi, I am claiming on travel insurance for a cancelled trip due to broken bone. A&E advised not to provide insurance company with NHS number under any circumstances, and warned that they would push for it but they had no legal right for this. We have provided GP's medical certificate which states all relevant information for injury and previous medical records, and provided the A&E notes with NHS number redacted. Insurance company have told us they will reject our claim because we are refusing to provide NHS number. Has anyone else encountered this and who is right? 

sammyjammy

They might well have no legal right to it but they are perfectly entitled to reject your claim if you don't provide what they've asked for, why the reluctance?

Skipsonrecord

sammyjammy said:

They might well have no legal right to it but they are perfectly entitled to reject your claim if you don't provide what they've asked for, why the reluctance?

Solely that two medical professionals have advised not to provide it, that it's a piece of private information that the insurer isn't entitled to in their eyes. They seemed concerned about data breach, but ultimately I understand that it is my data to share as I see fit.

sammyjammy

Maybe they are aware of the extra work it causes the NHS!

Flugelhorn

Having OK'd loads of patient info from notes to go to insurance companies in the past  I have redacted third party references but never an NHS number - it is in just about every letter (along with DOB / address / full name etc etc )

Skipsonrecord

Thanks both, they've just been in touch and said they've decided to provide full compensation without provision of NHS number, so all worry for nothing! Thanks for your advice though, much appreciated as I was quite unsure how to proceed. 

DullGreyGuy

Skipsonrecord said:

sammyjammy said:

They might well have no legal right to it but they are perfectly entitled to reject your claim if you don't provide what they've asked for, why the reluctance?

Solely that two medical professionals have advised not to provide it, that it's a piece of private information that the insurer isn't entitled to in their eyes. They seemed concerned about data breach, but ultimately I understand that it is my data to share as I see fit.

Ask them what their qualifications in law or insurance are... they may be amazing doctors or nurses but they are likely not to have a single days legal or insurance training. It's probably well meaning but based on urban myth rather than professional training. The police are even worse for commenting on liability not knowing the differences between criminal and civil law. 

Your policy wordings undoubtedly require you to submit the information they reasonably request. If you refuse it is generally grounds for declining claims or cancelling policies. It's unclear if they actually really want your NHS number or are more concerned that you have submitted doctored documents. 

Ultimately it's your data and you can refuse to give anything just as the insurer can refuse to payout. Obviously on this occasion the insurer decided it's not material enough to push on.