TITLE 33 INSURANCE

Section 39. Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Information Gathered by Insurance Institutions, 33-39-1 through 33-39-23.

ARTICLE 4 LIQUIDATION PROCEEDINGS

33-39-7. Disclosure authorization forms authorizing disclosure of personal or privileged information.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law of this state, no insurance institution, agent, or insurance-support organization may utilize as its disclosure authorization form in connection with insurance transactions a form or statement which authorizes the disclosure of personal or privileged information about an individual to the insurance institution, agent, or insurance-support organization unless the form or statement:

1. Is written in plain language;
2. Is dated;
3. Specifies the types of persons authorized to disclose information about the individual;
4. Specifies the nature of the information authorized to be disclosed;
5. Names the insurance institution or agent and identifies by generic reference representatives of the insurance institution to whom the individual is authorizing information to be disclosed;
6. Specifies the purposes for which the information is collected;
7. Specifies the length of time such authorization shall remain valid, which shall be no longer than:
   1. In the case of authorizations signed for the purpose of collecting information in connection with an application for an insurance policy, a policy reinstatement or a request for change in policy benefits:
      1. Thirty months from the date the authorization is signed if the application or request involves life, health, or disability insurance;
      2. One year from the date the authorization is signed if the application or request involves property or casualty insurance; or
   2. In the case of authorizations signed for the purpose of collecting information in connection with a claim for benefits under an insurance policy:
      1. The term of coverage of the policy if the claim is for a health insurance benefit;
      2. The duration of the claim if the claim is not for a health insurance benefit; and
8. Advises the individual or person authorized to act on behalf of the individual that the individual or the individual's authorized representative is entitled to receive a copy of the authorization form.

(Code 1981, §33-39-7, enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 615, § 1.)