30 Jun 2009

Insurers have no right to full patient records - commissioner

9:30 am on 30 June 2009

Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff has ruled insurers do not have the right to demand full patient records from doctors.

In 2007, GPs complained about insurers demanding patient records, then using the information to reject claims or policy applications.

In a report, Ms Shroff says insurers who insist on seeing patient records risk breaching the Medical Information Privacy Code.

She says insurers can ask GPs for specific information about patients, but have no right to their complete files.

The Medical Association, which lodged the original complaint, says the report clarifies patient rights.

The Health Funds Assocation, which represents health insurers, has welcomed the commisioner's ruling, but it denies most insurers seek full patient records.