GPs have become so poor at returning medical request forms that advisers have been forced to attend appointments with patients to ensure they are completed.
The move illustrates how severe the need for an alternative to GP reports (GPRs) has become for many in the industry and why subject access requests (SARs) are being utilised.
COVER first reported the use of SARs by insurers in December after an agreement on sharing medical data between the ABI and British Medical Association (BMA) collapsed.
The issue has swiftly divided the industry and at the end of January Legal & General became the first provider to openly admit using SARs, reporting improved turnaround times, return rates and "very little resistance from GPs".
Jon Round, chief executive of network First Complete, told COVER that it was seeing increasing problems in getting access to GP reports.
He noted these had grown so severe that: "Some of our advisers have adopted the approach of actually booking an appointment, or being present at the appointment, that a client has booked with a doctor and taking the form in to try and get it completed at that point.
"We've also seen some suggestion of life companies cutting back on the requirements of GPRs, although that's not a long term solution - as the report is clearly a critical part of the underwriting process.
"It's a really important part of the process and we as brokers and insurers are reliant on GPs to support this and at the moment some feel less obliged to support and no doubt feel they have a valid debate with a life insurance company over the fee and service level.
"That makes it very difficult for the broker as it's outside of their control," he added.
While not giving SARs unqualified support, Round recognised that they could grow in use if the problems are not naturally resolved.
However, he would prefer any possible wider industry agreement resulting in clear procedures with manageable service levels, even if these arrangements were different between insurers.
