This is a bad idea.
The new doctor will ask about your treatment history.
If you tell him the truth, the insurance company will learn about it from the new doctor’s records, because they won’t settle the case without seeing the records.
If you don’t tell the new doctor about the prior injury, you will be lying. Because the insurance company will want your “background” medical records for nearly all injuries – these will include your family doctor’s records, and whatever the hospital will provide – the insurance company will probably learn about the prior injury anyway.
Worse, they will be able to establish that you were lying and doctor shopping.
You are much better off starting your treatment for the “new” injury with your “old” doctor. If you tell him about the differences between the old injury and the new symptoms, he is a lot more likely to back you up with the insurance company.
It is entirely appropriate to go to a new doctor for a number of reasons – a change in insurance coverage, a different type of specialist, or maybe you are not happy with your care.
I have been a lawyer over 30 years. Insurance companies are like that old line from a commercial about margarine: “Remember, you can’t fool Mother Nature.” It’s pretty tough to fool insurance companies – they know too much, and what they don’t know they’ll pay to find out. If you’ve been injured in an accident, talk with an experienced Cincinnati Injury Lawyer about the case. Call me, William Strubbe, at 513-621-4775.
Because all situations are different, and because there may be other facts pertaining to your case that I don’t know about, you should not rely on this answer for legal advice. I am not your attorney, and no lawyer client relationship has been formed.
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