Can my auto insurance company refuse to pay my medical bills because I will not release my medical records?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can my auto insurance company refuse to pay my medical bills because I will not release my medical records?
Asked on October 20, 2010 under Accident Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
Yes, they can. First, it probably provides that expressly in your policy, that you have to cooperate with them (and it may even say specifically that you need to provide medical records). Even if it doesn't say that, an insurer has a right to verify the existence, extent, and expense of injuries and medical bills before paying them. They can, for example, make sure that you really need the treatment they are being billed for. So, if you do not release your records, they do not have to pay. Moreover, they may get suspicious--WHY won't you release your records? Does that mean you are committing fraud? Etc.--and launch an insurance fraud investigation--with considerable justification--based on your refusal. It is hard to imagine any good reason why you would not want to release the records, in order to be receive payment, for legitimate injuries or conditions.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.