We all hate these forms and the irritation and conflict they produce.

Is there a BMA view?

I had a patient ill in the Philippines and received a request for information from the attending physician at that end via fax with consent, I dropped everything to get the info back ASAP.  Such a difference when you get an appropriate request from a colleague which involves the patients health. I don’t think I ever tried to make a charge for doing that.

But these insurance faxed forms with URGENT scrawled on them are so annoying.

Alun

 

 

 

 

Not necessarily a slick way, but I just say no.  As far as I am concerned, the company has the duty of care to the patient at that point in time, not me, as the patient is outside of my practice area.  Nor do i have a duty of care to the company unless I agree to provide said report.  Nor do I accept that the patient will be responsible for any fee for any report I may produce, as they are not there to ask.

I don't consider the consent forms these companies send to me to be properly informed consent.  After all, the patient is usually unwell and just wants things sorted.  Neither am I in a position to ascertain whether the patient understands the implications of me providing any requested information, as they are abroad and I can't speak to them.

Insurance company's fault and problem, not mine or my patients (unless of course they have been dishonest).