Question:
Jennifer,
A patient of mine was denied life insurance based on an exam I did. Can I change the medical record?
Thanks,
Dr. M
Answer:
Under no circumstance would I ever advise you to change a medical record. Doing so is widely recognized as fraud. Fraud as against who? In this instance, changing the medical record to assist the patient to obtain insurance would potentially be a fraud against the insurance company. Now, prohibition against modifying a medical record does not mean you cannot write a contemporaneous note that is dated as of today with some new thoughts or perhaps new testing and a new examination. However, again, under no circumstance should you go in and change an old note. If your patient is upset and is asking to speak with your attorney, feel free to send them over, assuming I serve as your counsel.
Jennifer,
A patient of mine was denied life insurance based on an exam I did. Can I change the medical record?
Thanks,
Dr. M
Answer:
Under no circumstance would I ever advise you to change a medical record. Doing so is widely recognized as fraud. Fraud as against who? In this instance, changing the medical record to assist the patient to obtain insurance would potentially be a fraud against the insurance company. Now, prohibition against modifying a medical record does not mean you cannot write a contemporaneous note that is dated as of today with some new thoughts or perhaps new testing and a new examination. However, again, under no circumstance should you go in and change an old note. If your patient is upset and is asking to speak with your attorney, feel free to send them over, assuming I serve as your counsel.
Have a question for Jennifer? Email is best. You can reach her at Jennifer@Kirschenbaumesq.com.
