Most of you know Angie's List as a consumer rating site. They launched as a web portal, rating assorted service providers such as roofers and plumbers. Believing that the practice of medicine is little different than roofing and plumbing, they dipped a toe into rating doctors.

One of our beefs with their system is that doctors are foreclosed from responding to outrageous posts. The reason: federal and state privacy laws. Whereas roofers and plumbers can tell their side of the story, doctors cannot.

Angie's List has doubled down by offering a service to resolve complaints patients may have with their doctors. This is where the most outrageous HIPAA Release emerges. In an effort "to be fair," Angie's List appears to require the full medical record to make its determination. Do you think they have experts from the specialty in question deliberating over the material?

You be the judge. Here's what at least one member was asked to sign to receive their mediation help.


And here's the kicker:


Angie's List is asking patients to provide all records, including their status as HIV positive, a history of psychotic break, and before and after pictures of their facelift, to resolve a consumer complaint. Not to miss a marketing opportunity, Angie's List demands the patient grant permission to use this information as Angie's List sees fit - including potential posting on their web site and magazine.

You be the judge. Does this sound like a useful "consumer" service or an abusive, shameless marketing operation. Let's hear from you. Want our humble opinion? Visit http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7045233/ then press the arrow to start the video animation.