Doctors/hospitals require faxing of info because of fear of data security breaches. If they were to have a patient’s medical records sent to the wrong place, their liability could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to HIPAA. They need the security of a fax vs. internet. IF a patient authorizes internet transmission of records, that’s another story altogether.
Companies are allowed to transmit medical records over the internet WITHOUT patient consent IF both the sending and receiving parties are HIPAA compliant and have signed a BAA (Business Associate Agreement). Happens all the time with insurance companies.