What legal issue may arise from sending a full patient record, including sensitive health information, to an insurance company?

When sending a full patient record, including sensitive health information, to an insurance company, the primary legal issue that may arise is invasion of privacy. This concept is rooted in the legal principles that protect an individual's right to keep their personal and health information confidential.

Healthcare providers are bound by privacy laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which governs how patient information should be handled and shared. Sharing detailed medical records without proper consent or outside of the intended purposes can lead to a violation of a patient’s privacy rights. This can occur especially if the information provided is not necessary for the processing of the insurance claim or lacks adequate safeguards to protect the patient’s sensitive data.

It is crucial for dental offices and other healthcare providers to ensure that they are only sharing the minimum necessary information required for administrative purposes, and that they have the appropriate consent from the patient before disclosing detailed health records. This protection reflects the expectation that patients have regarding their medical confidentiality and the control they have over who accesses their private health information.