Does a worker's compensation carrier have the right to receive all records without authorization, regardless of the service date?

A worker's compensation carrier does not have the right to receive all patient records without authorization, regardless of the service date. While workers' compensation laws often grant carriers access to certain medical information pertinent to the claim, this access is typically limited to specific records relevant to the injury or illness being claimed and from a defined time period.

Patients' rights to privacy under laws such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) restrict the disclosure of their medical records without proper authorization. The medical records provided to a workers' compensation carrier must be appropriately limited, ensuring that only necessary information relevant to the claim is shared. This is crucial to protect patient confidentiality and rights while still allowing workers' compensation carriers to assess and process claims fairly.

Thus, the correct answer reflects the importance of patient consent and the regulation of information sharing in health care, particularly in the context of workers' compensation.