The Medical Information Bureau: The Largest Repository of Health Records in the Free World

If you are like most Americans, and Canadians, you have no idea your medical history is some place other than at your doctor's office. Truth is, the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) knows more about your medical condition than you.


To say most people have never heard of this non-profit membership organization would be an understatement. However, in spite of that thought, it is the largest repository of health records in the free world.


Located in Braintree, MA, its membership is about 750 U.S. and Canadian Insurance Companies. MIB states they do not have the same copies your doctor has in his files but that could be a slightly different way of saying they do. You see, they codify you according to certain health conditions. They get these conditions from your medical records.


Technically speaking they don't have the same files as your doctor because your doctor keeps his copies but they do have the same reported conditions and maladies. Hence the differentiated fine line isn't so fine.


The MIB was formed by insurance companies as a database for easy access to consumer medical records. The MIB states on their website it "maintains a database for Members to exchange confidential information of underwriting significance when an individual applies for life, health, disability income, long-term care or critical illness insurance."


If you apply for a life or health insurance policy and are rejected, the insurance company has most likely found information in your MIB stored file. If that happens to you the insurance company must tell you what data they relied on to reject you and where they obtained that data.


This means you are entitled to get a free copy of your record by visiting their website: www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html. In the alternative you can call, 1-866-692-6901 or for the hearing impaired, 1-866-346-3642.


For the people concerned with privacy rights and data sharing and access to records as important as people's medical history, the MIB is subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This is important to know because they have to follow federally legislated guidelines.


As with anything as important as your medical records it pays you to do your own research and learn as much as you can about who gets to look at and/or read your medical records. A good starting point for those who have been rejected for a life or health policy is the rejection letter sent by the insurance company.


Another good starting point is to visit the MIB website or the Federal Trade Commission's website. Both sites have pertinent and up to date information regarding your rights.