Life insurance claims can sometimes be delayed or denied when the insurer seeks medical records from outside the United States. If the insured lived abroad, received treatment overseas, or died in another country, the insurer may require foreign medical documentation before making a coverage decision.
These situations often create long delays because obtaining medical records from foreign hospitals, clinics, or government agencies can be difficult. In some cases, insurers may use the absence of foreign records as a basis to question the claim.
Attorney Christian Lassen represents beneficiaries nationwide in disputes involving delayed and denied life insurance claims.
Why Insurers Request Foreign Medical Records
Insurance companies frequently review medical records when investigating a life insurance claim. When the insured received treatment outside the United States, the insurer may attempt to obtain records from those foreign medical providers.
Insurers may request these records to determine:
Whether the insured had undisclosed medical conditions
Whether the cause of death matches the policy application
Whether the insured received treatment for a condition related to the death
Whether there were misrepresentations during the application process
Foreign medical records can therefore become part of the insurer’s claim investigation.
Situations Where Foreign Medical Records Become an Issue
Foreign medical records may become relevant in several common scenarios.
Examples include:
The insured lived overseas for work or retirement
The insured traveled internationally before death
The insured received medical treatment during travel
The death occurred outside the United States
The insured had a prior medical history in another country
In these situations, insurers may attempt to collect records from hospitals or clinics abroad.
Why Foreign Records Are Difficult to Obtain
Obtaining medical records from another country can be challenging for several reasons.
Common obstacles include:
Hospitals that do not maintain long term digital records
Different privacy laws governing medical information
Language barriers and translation requirements
Hospitals that require in person authorization
Government agencies that control access to records
These factors can significantly slow down the claim process.
When Insurers Use Missing Records to Question the Claim
In some cases, insurers argue that they cannot determine whether the claim is valid without reviewing foreign medical records.
The insurer may claim that:
Important medical history is unknown
The insured may have had undisclosed health conditions
The cause of death cannot be verified without additional records
The claim cannot be approved until foreign records are obtained
As a result, the claim may remain pending for an extended period.
Language and Translation Issues
Another complication with foreign medical records is the need for translation. Medical documents written in another language may need to be translated into English before the insurer reviews them.
Translation requirements may add additional steps to the claim process, especially when medical terminology is involved.
In some cases insurers request certified translations of foreign records before proceeding with the claim review.
Death Certificates and Foreign Medical Reports
When a death occurs outside the United States, the death certificate and related medical reports may come from foreign authorities.
These documents may include:
Foreign death certificates
Medical examiner reports
Hospital treatment records
Government investigation reports
Insurers sometimes review these documents carefully to confirm the reported cause of death.
Delays Caused by International Investigations
Life insurance claims involving foreign medical records often take longer to process because the insurer must gather information from multiple sources. Investigations may involve:
Contacting foreign hospitals
Requesting government records
Obtaining translated medical documents
Reviewing travel history
These steps can add months to the claim review process.
Legal Help With Foreign Medical Record Claim Disputes
Life insurance claims involving foreign medical records can become complicated when insurers delay payment while attempting to obtain documentation from overseas providers. In some cases, beneficiaries are asked to obtain records that may be difficult or impossible to locate.
The Lassen Law Firm focuses exclusively on life insurance disputes nationwide. Attorney Christian Lassen has more than 25 years of experience representing beneficiaries in delayed, denied, and disputed life insurance claims.
If a life insurance claim has been delayed or denied because of foreign medical records or overseas medical treatment, legal review may help determine whether the insurer’s investigation is reasonable and whether the claim should be paid.