Health Insurance Info - Check the MIB for $9.00

[Telly]

Ah, Health Insurance... the bane of ER's.

The "Medical Information Bureau" now has shortened their name to "MIB". The MIB is a private company that maintains a collection of health-related databases. Databases with info about you and me. Any request for health insurance, and you will sign a fine-print statement that authorizes the ins. co. to check and trade with the MIB. And where does the MIB get their info from? From health providers, and anything that you have ever disclosed. And if you decide not to disclose something, they will probably find it in the MIB in a cross-check anyway.

Insurance Underwriters use the MIB in determining IF they are going to insure you, and what invisible rate class they will put you in if they do.

You can request a dump of what the MIB has on you, sort of like the health equivalent of checking your own credit through a credit bureau.

At mib.com, you can download a 4 page PDF file with the request forms. Just 1 page to fill out (its quick and easy) and a 1/2 page pay sheet. Then send the forms with a check for $9.00, and they will send you:

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Upon receipt of your (a) request for a Record Search and Disclosure, and (b) proper identification, MIB will initiate the disclosure process and provide you with:

the nature and substance of information, if any, that MIB may have in its files pertaining to you;
the name(s) of the MIB member companies, if any, that reported information to MIB; and,
the name(s) of the MIB member companies, if any, that received a copy of your MIB record during the twelve (12) month period preceding your request for disclosure.
To proceed, please complete, sign and submit your "Request for Record Search and Disclosure" form and the appropriate payment of $9.00* (U.S. Residents only), payable by check, money order, or credit card. Disclosure will be made within 30 days of receipt of a completed "Request for Record Search and Disclosure" form at our offices.
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I wouldn't do it by credit card, no sense letting them put your card # in their database too!

I sent mine off, will see what kind of dirt they have.