Medical records UW

[notanexpert]

Hi everyone,

I am running into an issue where some cases are taking longer than 60 days to be offered any rating due to requesting medical records. Usually I will be lucky and the medical records will be processed in-house which takes 1 week and there are other times where doctors have third party copy services which take anywhere from 14-25 business days to process. What's the best way to tackle this?

Thank you!

 

[billyb]

I write the application and order an exam if required. I submit both to The Marcus Agency and they handle everything else from ordering the APS and follow up to shopping the case if it comes back rated. Most FU cases are approved in 4 to 6 weeks tops.

 

[mickeyma]

I ALWAYS got the medical records myself. I would go to the doctors office the next day with the signed authorization and my checkbook and pay the aps fee on the spot. On the application, I would write "Agent will get APS." Most times, I would get the aps within 2 days.

I paid for the aps and would submit receipt for reimbursement.

 

[billyb]

I ALWAYS got the medical records myself. I would go to the doctors office the next day with the signed authorization and my checkbook and pay the aps fee on the spot. On the application, I would write "Agent will get APS." Most times, I would get the aps within 2 days.

I paid for the aps and would submit receipt for reimbursement.

I have never heard of any agent that did this. In fact I didn't know the company would reimburse you if you did it. Good to know.

 

[Allen Trent]

I ALWAYS got the medical records myself. I would go to the doctors office the next day with the signed authorization and my checkbook and pay the aps fee on the spot. On the application, I would write "Agent will get APS." Most times, I would get the aps within 2 days.

I paid for the aps and would submit receipt for reimbursement.

can I ask when this was? I had always done this type of thing to expedite, but in the last 5 years, a ton of the medical hospital & Dr networks have been not handling their medical records. Between the large medical network bureaucracy & the vendor that handles the records request for these facilities, it has become a nightmare to obtain medical records. not just for life apps, but also for patients changing Drs, specialist referrals. the worst 3rd party vendor for records that seems to handle the majority in my state is based out of Georgia or something

 

[mickeyma]

I did this for years up until @ 2013 when I focused on Medicare.
When I joined an insurance company, I would tell my assigned underwriter that I would get the APS and submit the receipt for reimbursement. None of the companies had a problem with it.

The companies included Midland National Life, American General Life, Banner Life and a couple more whom I can't remember.

APS fees at that time ranged from $15 to $25. The only problem I had was with Kaiser as they required their own authorization form so I got an extra one and carried with me at appointments.

 

[Allen Trent]

I did this for years up until @ 2013 when I focused on Medicare.
When I joined an insurance company, I would tell my assigned underwriter that I would get the APS and submit the receipt for reimbursement. None of the companies had a problem with it.

The companies included Midland National Life, American General Life, Banner Life and a couple more whom I can't remember.

APS fees at that time ranged from $15 to $25. The only problem I had was with Kaiser as they required their own authorization form so I got an extra one and carried with me at appointments.

Yup, the problem today is Not the carriers. It is the fact that none of the local medical facilities or doctors handle their own medical records and they’re usually part of a larger medical hospital network. And those large networks only do business with the huge vendors that have horrible customer service to get the medical records. Plus, many of the vendors now have merged or been bought out

 

[scagnt83]

National HIPAA laws give doctors 30 days to send records after all requirements are satisfied. If they go past 30 days, its a HIPAA violation. Some state laws give an even shorter time period, but all states are limited to 30 days max.

So after 30 days, call the manager of the doctor's office and politely explain the situation. I have had office managers send the docs themselves after that phone call. (I usually say their patient is very upset about this delay, which helps)

You can also have the client call the office manager and complain about the HIPAA violation. I often mention the possible need for them to call if the doctor is taking too long, so its not a surprise.

Just had an office take 32 days, the client called at 30 days and complained about the HIPAA violation. Paperwork was sent 2 days later.