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Released: May 27, 2011

Help Desk FAQ

What is a medical history report, and how do I obtain mine?

A medical history report is one of a variety of “specialty consumer reports” that compile specific information about consumers. A medical history report lists medical conditions you’ve reported on insurance applications for individual (not group) coverage, test results from medical underwriting exams, smoking history, participation in risky activities such as skydiving and, sometimes, driving records. The report does not include the details of your medical records kept by your health care provider.

The major medical history source is the Medical Information Group (MIB report). Request your report by visiting www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html, or call 866-692-6901.

You can request your medical history report (and any other credit or specialty reports) at any time— you’re entitled to one free copy of any report once every 12 months. But because the information you provide in your request becomes part of the agency’s database, and because the request process can be inconvenient, you might be better off ordering your report only when you know it might be used. For example, you should order your report if you are applying for private (not group) health, life, long-term care, catastrophic illness or disability insurance since the information can affect premiums or eligibility for coverage. You may also want to check your report if an employer is doing a background check and has asked for your consent to obtaining medical information. Time your report request so that you have enough time to correct inaccurate information or include an explanation about any item, if necessary. If you have not applied for an individual life, health, long-term care, catastrophic illness, or disability policy during the last seven years, you will not have an MIB report.

Your permission is required before anyone can access your medical information. Though you have the option to deny access, the reality is your application could be rejected if you don’t consent.

If you’re checking your medical history report, you may also want to check your prescription history reports. These include information about medications you’ve used over the past five years, dosages, refills and physician visits. Like the medical history report, prescription reports are most commonly used by insurance companies evaluating applicants for private coverage.

The major prescription history sources are:

• Ingenix (MedPoint report): 888-206-0335
• Milliman (IntelliScript report): http://www.rxhistories.com/contact_us.html / 877-211-4816

Learn more about medical history and other specialty reports.