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Insurers face probe into access to medical records
GPs raise concerns about companies’ ability to cash in on private data
Profit-mad life insurance firms will be investigated after claims that they are cashing in on confidential patient records when they sell their wares.
Data watchdog the Information Commissioner said yesterday it would probe allegations that insurers are routinely accessing medical records, including details about abortions, contraception, mental health and relationships, without customer consent.
Under data protection laws, insurance firms have to gain a patient’s signature to give access to health records.
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