My friend Robin Fisk sent me this link to a story out of San Francisco. The basics: UCSF contracted out with a firm that contracted out with anothe firm that contracted out with a 3rd firm for medical transcribing. The 3rd company is in Pakistan. No problem, right?
Wrong. The Pakistani transcriber threatened to release confidential patient information if she was not paid more money. Apparently, someone paid her, although it is unclear who.
Why do I bring this up? You need to be careful with your medical records. Your health insurer or medical facility may be sending work to other countries, and that may include your records. But, when you are in an auto accident, that insurance company could be contracting out with someone else to review your records. This release of records makes you vulnerable to situations like this.
Do I think it is likely? Probably not. Do I think you need to be concerned? A little. This is one more reason not to give an insurance company unfettered access to your medical records.