Like most major corporations, insurance companies have a seemingly endless number of forms for customers to complete. While some of these forms may be necessary for processing accident-related claims, others tend to do more harm than good. Blanket medical authorizations fall into this category.
A blanket medical authorization gives an insurance adjuster the legal authority to review all your medical records, even ones that are irrelevant to your accident-related injuries. While you may be short on money and ready to resolve your car accident claim quickly, signing a blanket medical authorization may not be in your legal or financial interests.
A loose thread
If you wear sweaters, you know you should never pull on a loose thread. After all, tugging on a fray may result in the unraveling of your sweater. Similarly, a blanket medical authorization may unravel your accident claim. That is, an insurance adjuster may dig deep into your medical past to find some reason to offer you a low settlement. Even worse, the adjuster may find cover to deny your claim completely.
Your medical privacy
Like many of your neighbors, you probably have some aspects of your medical records you do not want others to know. Perhaps you have had an invasive medical procedure, have a stigmatized medical condition or take a costly prescription medication. Regardless of your reasoning, you have a right to safeguard your medical privacy. By signing a blanket medical authorization, you effectively waive this right.
There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting or needing a prompt resolution to your insurance claim. Ultimately, though, there are probably better ways to secure fast processing of your claim without having to deal with the potentially significant consequences of signing a blanket medical authorization.
