Doctors and insurers are united today in support of new guidance about the exchange of medical information between health professionals and life and health insurance companies.

‘Medical information and insurance’ sets out joint guidelines from The British Medical Association (BMA) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) on information that should be released to companies that are processing health information. The guidelines deal with many of the most sensitive issues affecting the doctor-patient relationship and the underwriting of insurance.

For example:
§ In order to prevent people from being deterred from seeking advice and getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the guidelines state that doctors do not have to reveal all aspects of their patients’ sexual health history.
§ The guidelines state that there is no reason to disclose single incidents of STIs, or even multiple episodes, provided there are no long-term health implications.
§ In addition, and in line with existing ABI guidance, insurance companies should not ask whether an applicant for insurance has taken an HIV or Hepatitis B or C test, had counselling in connection with such a test, or received a negative test result.  Doctors should not reveal this information when writing reports and insurance companies will not expect this information to be provided.  Insurers may ask only whether someone has had a positive test result, is awaiting a test result, or is receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis B or C.

Dr Michael Wilks, Chairman of the BMA’s Ethics Committee, said today:
 “Doctors are only experts in clinical matters yet insurance companies often ask us about lifestyle issues such as sexual behaviour or drug use.  These guidelines are important as they set out exactly how much information doctors can and should reveal."

He added:
“The person applying for life insurance is the only one who can answer truthfully and knowledgeably about risks to their health that they take as part of their chosen lifestyle.”

Richard Walsh, the ABI’s Head of Health, said:
“These joint guidelines are an important breakthrough. They will provide reassurance to our customers, and a better working relationship between doctors and the insurance industry. Insurers as well as the medical profession will now know where they stand.”

The BMA/ABI guidelines also suggest ways of improving applicants’ understanding of what information they are being asked to provide. Further work will be done on this issue by the two organisations in their review of the General Practitioner’s Report (GPR).  A meeting will be taking place tomorrow between both organisations to begin this process.

The BMA has also welcomed the ABI’s agreement that applicants have a right to access reports written about them by independent doctors – previously they only had a right to access reports written by their GP.

The BMA and ABI have also agreed that information can only be sought after a patient’s death where there are reasonable grounds to believe that relevant information may have been withheld at the time the policy was taken out.

Notes

1. Enquiries to: 
Alan Leaman       ABI             020 7216 7440 (Mobile: 07957 482330)
Malcolm Tarling   ABI             020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147667)
Emma Grainge    ABI             020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 0771 284 1183)
Leonie Edwards   ABI             020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 0771 284 1184)

Franca Tranza  BMA              020 7383 6188
After 6:00 pm and weekends:  020 8997 3653
                                            020 8674 6294
                                            020 8444 7992
                                            020 8651 5130
                                            01525 379 792
Email: pressoffice@bma.org.uk

2. The guidelines are attached and also available online from the BMA website, (www.bma.org.uk) and the ABI website (www.abi.org.uk)

3. The ABI is the trade association for Britain’s insurance industry. Its more than 400 member companies provide over 97% of the insurance business in the UK. We represent insurance companies to the Government, and to the regulatory and other agencies, and provide a wide range of services to our members. ABI member companies account for more than a fifth of investments in the London stock market.

4. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.