What should you do when a long-time patient requests to amend their health history for insurance purposes?

When a long-time patient requests to amend their health history for insurance purposes, it is crucial to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the medical records. Denying the request when the information is accurate and complete is appropriate because healthcare providers have an ethical and legal obligation to ensure that all information recorded in patient files is truthful and reflects the patient's actual health status.

Falsifying or altering health records for the sake of insurance claims could lead to serious consequences, including potential legal ramifications for both the provider and the patient. There is a strong emphasis in dental law and ethics on the accuracy of health records, especially when they are used for insurance purposes, as this could affect benefit determinations and legal liability.

By not accepting the patient's request to amend their health history, you are upholding the principle of medical integrity and ensuring that the records accurately represent the patient's health status, which is essential for appropriate treatment and insurance processing.