The confidentiality between a patient and doctor is well established in the United States, and California is no exception. Confidentiality is strict to make sure that the patients can fully disclose all symptoms and potential sources of illness or injury without fear that embarrassing conditions will be on display for others to read. Although employees can typically be secure in the knowledge that their medical conditions are private and protected from their employers, this can change in the case of a workers’ compensation case.
During a workers’ compensation case, the injured employee will need to seek medical attention. Even after urgent conditions have been addressed, the worker may require ongoing treatment or physical therapy. The worker will definitely need to be evaluated by a physician or medical professional to determine whether he or she is temporarily or permanently disabled, the degree of the disability, and whether he or she requires limitations or work restrictions upon returning to work. Clearly, these will be medical conditions that are assessed by a medical professional. Employers and employees alike should have an understanding of what types of communications remain privileged between the injured employee and his or her treating physician.
The Confidentiality of Medical Information Act contains strict rules and prohibitions on when a health care provider can release information. There are exceptions, however in the workers’ compensation system. Communications between the patient and the physician concerning the work-related injury will be turned into reports that will be submitted by the physician to insurance adjusters, attorneys, and even the employer. The employer, attorneys, or an insurance adjuster may also request copies of the actual medical records. When the treating physician has been the worker’s treating physician for other conditions in addition to the work-related injury, however, these medical records will contain information that is completely irrelevant to the work-related injury. In that situation, the physician is restricted from releasing more information than is necessary. In other words, an employer or insurance adjuster is not entitled to receive a complete copy of the employee’s entire medical record. The physician is required only to release the information relevant to the injury and whether the employee is able to return to work.
We have extensive experience with the workers’ compensation system and all types of associated litigation. Contact us today for a consultation.