I'm in the process of settling a claim with WC. This has been going on for 6 years, they have all medical for the W/C claim. Do I have to sign the HIPAA form for the insurance company to have access to any of my past medical history. They are stating that this is what is holding up my claim.

If you win the law suit, no, if you are settling, they want to be sure your medical claims were not prior illness or prior injury that you are pretending to be a newer workers injury. I am surprised they have not already done the check.

This is standard boiler plate legal stuff in a legal defense for WC for you to sign for the release of these prior records. They want to make sure you have no prior injury that is associated with your present injury.