Agator82 said:
That is a good point, and I had not considered contacting the lab directly, except I have on problem at this point I do not know what lab performed the blood work, and the insurance company is claiming that they own the records. So is it a matter of finding out what lab they sent it to and asking them to review their records, or do I simply call the insurer and ask then which lab provided the results?
Agator82:
The health care provider that actually stuck the needle in your arm will know what lab performed the work. You know who that provider is. That provider must tell you what lab they sent the blood to. This pertains to your personal health information (PHI) to which you are entitled. You are the sole owner of your PHI. Now, splitting the hair--the medical record is the actual paper--the information on the paper is YOURS. You are entitled to a copy of the paper because the information on it is YOURS. This applies to the health care provider and the insurance company. The provider that stuck your arm for blood would likely have a copy of the result. Ask them for it. If not (for some reason they don't have it) ask them to tell you who the lab is. The name of the lab is not privileged information (even if it were, since it contains your PHI, you could have it) therefore, the provider can tell you where blood was sent for analysis. Contact the lab. Your test results are yours. You can have the information. Failing all of that, the potential insurer is obligated to at least allow you to view all records (theirs or anyone else's in their possession) on which they base their decision. (According to your post they have at least somewhat fulfilled this obligation by informing you which tests were out of norm.) however, your privileged health information cannot be kept from you. Only the "record", ie original paper. Yet, you are entitled to copies since you own the information in those records.
I realize my answer sounds very redundant, but split the hair. The "record" or piece of paper may belong to an entity (whether health care provider or insurer), but the information in it belongs to YOU.
Now, to reiterate, unfortunately, I think that you are fighting a losing battle. Regardless of how you obtain the results of your tests, the potential insurer has no obligation to insure you. In my opinion, at most, the actual results of the glucose and cholesterol tests would inform you what types of measures you may need to take (at your own expense) to correct those abnormal results. Even then, with a documented history of the offending problem, you will find it difficult to obtain insurance because of that medical history.
Ugly answer. I know it and I hate it for you. Unless you can apply through an employer sponsored group health plan (even that would be a problem for a time), I suspect you may have trouble obtaining health insurance, especially at an affordable rate. Perhaps you should check your state's Medicaid provisions if you have a serious healthcare need. Fighting a potential insurer on the basis of evidence of insurability is damn near impossible.
Ok, editing my post. Attempting to directly answer your questions, you can potentially obtain the answers you want by pressing the provider (who physically drew blood), the potential insurer, or the lab performing the blood work analysis. If you want the answers, you should be able to have them. (But, new HIPAA regulations effective April 14, 2003 have many providers and insurers in a tizzy aabout what info to give out.) More information could be learned by reading HIPAA regulations. Good info is available at the Dept. of Labor (look for links to privacy regs) and even Medicare web sites. I caution--HIPAA is a massive topic and difficult to interpret.
I wish the best for you,
lkc15507
