After a car accident in Illinois, you may get a medical release form from the insurance company soon after you file a claim. At first, it may look like a normal step in the process. However, it is important to understand what the form allows the insurance company to see before you sign it.
Insurance companies often look closely at claims. As a result, the information you share can affect how they view your injuries and your claim for damages.
What does a medical release form allow?
A medical release form lets the insurance company ask for some of your medical records. They usually use these records to check your injuries and see how they connect to the accident.
In some cases, the form may allow more access than you expect. Depending on the wording, the insurance company may try to get records that are not related to the crash. Because of this, it may help to clearly understand what they are asking for and why.
What concerns can a broad release create?
A broad medical release can give the insurance company access to medical details that may not relate to your accident. For example, it may include past injuries, old illnesses or other health issues.
You may want to look at the request closely because insurance companies sometimes use medical history when they review your claim. Some concerns that can come up include:
- Requests for records that have nothing to do with the accident
- Review of past health issues that may not affect your current claim
- Comparisons between old symptoms and new injuries
- Delays while the insurer collects a large amount of records
These issues may not happen in every case. Still, they can affect how the insurance company reviews your claim.
What Illinois laws may protect your privacy?
Some laws may help protect your medical information during a claim.
For example, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, helps keep your medical records private. In most cases, health care providers must have your written permission before sharing your records with an auto insurance company.
Illinois law also adds extra privacy rules. The Illinois Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Act limits how insurance companies can collect and use your personal information. In addition, the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) requires companies to protect sensitive data and notify you if a data breach happens.
These laws do not stop insurers from requesting records related to your claim. However, they may help protect how entities handle your information.
What should you review before signing?
If an insurance company sends you a medical release form, it may help to read it closely before you sign. You may want to check:
- What types of records they are asking for
- How far back the records go
- Which doctors or hospitals can share your records
- Whether the form gives broad access to all records
Reviewing these details may help you understand how much personal information entities could share.
How can your signature affect your claim?
A medical release form may seem simple, but it can have a real impact on your auto accident claim. Once signed, it can give the insurance company access to a wide range of medical information. Because of this, it may help to understand what the form covers and what privacy protections exist under federal and Illinois law before making a decision.