insurer's access to mental health records

[kas]

In Massachusetts, is a health insurer permitted to request and receive mental health records of an insured directly from the insured's psychologist (presumably without written authorization from the patient)?

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by kas

In Massachusetts, is a health insurer permitted to request and receive mental health records of an insured directly from the insured's psychologist (presumably without written authorization from the patient)?

You gave permission when you filled out that initial paperwork at the doc's office.

[ecmst12]

Specific authorization is not actually needed for them to release information required to pay your claims. However it is likely that you authorized it even though you did not legally need to. Under HIPAA, it is ALWAYS legal to release information needed for either treatment or payment.