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Why Should You Request a Medical Canvass?

By October 22, 2024October 24th, 2024No Comments

Have you ever been working on a case or claim and suspected that there might be treatments that go beyond the information initially disclosed to you by a claimant? Whether a claimant has simply forgotten about past treatment or they’re strategically withholding the information in hopes of influencing the outcome of a case, medical canvassing can help you answer the question: Is there more information? 

A medical canvass is designed to uncover essential claimant information and medical treatment history. During a medical canvass, medical facilities within a specific geographic area are contacted to identify if a claimant was ever treated at that facility and if so, the dates on which that treatment occurred. Medical canvassing can be used to verify information or potentially uncover unknown medical history. A detailed canvassing report helps you determine if injuries occurred outside of the or alleged course of the injury. This kind of information can also help you uncover patterns in behavior and determine if the claimant has a history of making injury claims.   

In the past, medical canvassing was primarily seen as an investigative tool, but in recent years insurance carriers have come to realize its value in the adjusting and claims process. It’s a useful tool to employ under all lines of insurance associated with bodily injury claims (including worker’s compensation, automobile, and disability) because medical canvassing covers more than just hospitals and urgent care. You can choose to canvass facilities such as pharmacies, dentist offices, chiropractors, gyms and health clubs, clinical laboratories, optometrists and more. Medical canvassing can help carriers verify legitimate claims sooner or save on further claims. And, once you’re ready to begin requesting records, you’ll be able to target providers that you know will have records. 

You need to have the entire picture of the claimant’s medical treatments in order to make an informed decision and mitigate costs. With the information from a medical canvass, you’ll be more prepared to ask the right questions and eliminate the need for blanket record requests.  

Get started on a medical canvass today: https://intertelinc.com/services/medical-canvassing/