Re: Lab requesting medical records

[Guest guest]

One might want to be cautious about sending paper documents to Labcorp - see below.  :-) http://cyberinsecure.com/labcorp-patients-medical-records-fall-off-the-back-of-truck/

 March 31st, 2008 LabCorp Patients Medical Records Fall Off The Back Of Truck

Thousands of sensitive medical documents fell out of a truck bed and ended up scattered across the road for just about anyone to see and take. Patient records belonged to LabCorp (Laboratory Corporation of America), one of the world’s largest companies that analyzes blood work, and included medical records, lab results, and possibly billing information.

A spokesperson said a courier left the tailgate of his truck open and several boxes slid out, smashing onto Fredericksburg Road. LabCorp believes the information that scattered all over the road was old documents from 1993 and later and possibly billing information which wouldn’t include people’s Social Security numbers.

It is unclear what kind of sensitive information LabCorp collects and stores and so far LabCorp did not notify the people that were affected. LabCorp responded very quickly to the site of the incident with employees “picking up these documents in between cars, in the bushes, on their hands and knees and all of this was happening while SAPD was detouring traffic.”

In an August, 2006 accident LabCorp facility break-in exposed patient data (a computer with sensitive personal information was stolen from its Prospect Plains Road sample-collection center in Monroe Township, NJ), so LabCorp (and probably their patients) are used to such incidents.

  Locke, MD

 

This is a first for me.   I got a letter from LabCorp stating that the patient’s insurance wants a copy of the medical records regarding justifying some lab tests that I ordered.  The directions are to mail or fax the records back to LabCorp.

 First off, I don’t have a HIPAA agreement with LabCorp to my knowledge, that includes exchanging medical records.  They get the ICD—9 codes, demographic and insurance info for billing, period.  So I don’t think they have a right to those records.  Also, I would think that if the insurance company wants to review my ordering habits that they would need to request the records directly from me, not using LabCorp as an intermediary.

 Has anyone had this request ?  (I have had the requests from diabetic suppliers for records and refuse.)    

Kathy Saradarian, MDBranchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.com

Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03

Low staffing  

[Guest guest]

We've never been asked for records, just clarification on ICD-9 coding. I wouldn't send them without a signed release from the patient authorizing you to release them. You might try calling labcorp and asking exactly what it is that they need. The only thing I would venture to guess is that the patient might have a Pre-existing condition clause and they don't want to pay for labs that were ordered because of the Pre-existing cond.

This is a first for me. I got a letter from LabCorp stating that the patient’s insurance wants a copy of the medical records regarding justifying some lab tests that I ordered. The directions are to mail or fax the records back to LabCorp. First off, I don’t have a HIPAA agreement with LabCorp to my knowledge, that includes exchanging medical records. They get the ICD—9 codes, demographic and insurance info for billing, period. So I don’t think they have a right to those records. Also, I would think that if the insurance company wants to review my ordering habits that they would need to request the records directly from me, not using LabCorp as an intermediary. Has anyone had this request ? (I have had the requests from diabetic suppliers for records and refuse.) Kathy Saradarian, MDBranchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.comSolo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03Low staffing