Request for psychotherapy notes

Post Reply New Topic

My disability insurance wants me to sign a form allowing release of psychotherapy notes. However, I've read that this can be very bad, as I heard insurance companies will often "snatch" phrases out of the notes to make it look like I'm not disabled, taking those phrases out of context. Nevertheless, they threatened that if I do not sign the authorization by 9/15, then they may deny my claim.

Can they do this? What if I sign the authorization but my therapist refuses to release the notes?

Either way, I am going to take no action on this until at least next Monday when I can talk to my therapist about this.

What's especially confusing is that it doesn't look like they're asking for all the notes, as they specified specific treatment dates or date ranges to be filled out on the form. This leaves me really confused. Maybe I should sign the authorization but not provide any dates.

Has anyone else dealt with this?

I have not dealt with this. I did however do a bit of research on the subject as I thought HIPPA applied to this and it does. From what I have read, DO NOT authorize the release of this info. In any event your psychotherapist may decline anyway. But this information can NOT be used legally to deny a claim. They have NO business asking for it but it doesn't stop them. If you do sign the release you give up ALL of your rights under HIPPA. NOT a good thing to do.

Read this!! An article that pertains to your question.

Hope this helps!

So if I have this straight, you're worried by what you've heard from others, which is understandable. However in terms is what your therapist writes, it is released by others and they get approved.

I understand the worry, but sometimes, you just have to let others lead.

Thanks, Waterfall. I signed the release. I looked at my employer's policy for disability and refusal to release requested information could be used as a basis for a denial. Basically, my hands were tied and I needed to sign the release in case they needed the information. I went ahead and signed it today in order to expedite any necessary release of my records so I can get my disability check sooner rather than later and recover at least somewhat financially.

I trust that my therapist will follow through well if needed. He says he has a very good track record of getting disability requests approved.