Guest guest Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 You are legally entitled to copies of your medical records. However, some doctor's offices try to make providing medical records an additional profit center. When I asked for copies of the letters my retinologist sent to my opthamlogist, I was first told I needed to send them a form giving them permission to send to me. I asked why and they said HIPPA required it. I told them that was bunk and they had a form permitting them to send my records out of their office. They then came back and said they couldn't fax but could only mail to the address on my records. This wasn't a problem for me and I know many organizations do this just in case someone is calling in for records that shouldn't. Then they said there would be a $25 charge. I asked why and they said it was their policy. I told the person I was speaking to that I did not agree with the policy and wanted to speak to the supervisor. She got on the phone and re-iterated the issue. I told her that I wanted to speak to the doctor, at which point she said she would send it at no charge. Stay firm but polite and you should be able to get what you want. If not, talk to the doctor. They will usually agree to send your records and you can ask them to make a note in your file that it is ok to do this at no charge. While ultimately the doctor is responsible for what goes on in their office, they often turn the back-office management over to someone else who sets policies and are kind of oblivous to what goes on; however, they have the power to over-ride the " policy " . I;ve found this generally works with " policies " of other organizations (medical or non-medical) as well. You just have to go up the ladder... Alyne T2, Dx 8-03, D & E and Metformin __________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page! http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 I think it is critical to get copies of your lab results when they come in. Many doctors will tell you that you are " doing great " or your tests were " normal " . They sometimes mean " for a diabetic " or " compared with last time " . I want to see all test results and decide for myself what they mean and what protocal I will use to try to get improvement. I am the one who has to live my disease -- not the doctor -- so I should decide how to manage it. Alyne T2, Dx 8-03, D & E and Metformin __________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page! http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 I think it is critical to get copies of your lab results when they come in. Many doctors will tell you that you are " doing great " or your tests were " normal " . They sometimes mean " for a diabetic " or " compared with last time " . I want to see all test results and decide for myself what they mean and what protocal I will use to try to get improvement. I am the one who has to live my disease -- not the doctor -- so I should decide how to manage it. Alyne T2, Dx 8-03, D & E and Metformin __________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page! http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 I fully agree !!! If not CCing your records, get copies of reports of major exams and labs as well as consultations. In my situation, I had what were thought to be " allergies " since birth. A GI bleed by age 3! Another hospitalization for unknown stomach problems by age 6. Many varied problems for a very long time. It wasn't until my 40's and my daughter was 6 years old before we realized what was really going on. She was showing the same pathway as I, but tested negative for food allergies (only allergic to dust). Once celiac was brought into question, I tried to get those records from my youth. It made sense, but records were no longer available. Having these would have helped so much for both my daughter and myself. Looking forward, If anyone looks back and questions her diagnosis, I will have the records. No more doctor's disbelief with " because the mother said so " . Not to mention the number of times that so-and-so's office never sent the records to my doctor........ Keep those records!!! Cheryl in Tampa > > i learned this lesson the hard way -make sure all doctors list you as > the patient or parent as a correspondent. They will cc you on all > notes that should be sent to your primary, this will save you chasing > later should you need to gather records for another doctor. i had > issues with Boston Children's getting records to me . Just my 2cents > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 I fully agree !!! If not CCing your records, get copies of reports of major exams and labs as well as consultations. In my situation, I had what were thought to be " allergies " since birth. A GI bleed by age 3! Another hospitalization for unknown stomach problems by age 6. Many varied problems for a very long time. It wasn't until my 40's and my daughter was 6 years old before we realized what was really going on. She was showing the same pathway as I, but tested negative for food allergies (only allergic to dust). Once celiac was brought into question, I tried to get those records from my youth. It made sense, but records were no longer available. Having these would have helped so much for both my daughter and myself. Looking forward, If anyone looks back and questions her diagnosis, I will have the records. No more doctor's disbelief with " because the mother said so " . Not to mention the number of times that so-and-so's office never sent the records to my doctor........ Keep those records!!! Cheryl in Tampa > > i learned this lesson the hard way -make sure all doctors list you as > the patient or parent as a correspondent. They will cc you on all > notes that should be sent to your primary, this will save you chasing > later should you need to gather records for another doctor. i had > issues with Boston Children's getting records to me . Just my 2cents > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 I fully agree !!! If not CCing your records, get copies of reports of major exams and labs as well as consultations. In my situation, I had what were thought to be " allergies " since birth. A GI bleed by age 3! Another hospitalization for unknown stomach problems by age 6. Many varied problems for a very long time. It wasn't until my 40's and my daughter was 6 years old before we realized what was really going on. She was showing the same pathway as I, but tested negative for food allergies (only allergic to dust). Once celiac was brought into question, I tried to get those records from my youth. It made sense, but records were no longer available. Having these would have helped so much for both my daughter and myself. Looking forward, If anyone looks back and questions her diagnosis, I will have the records. No more doctor's disbelief with " because the mother said so " . Not to mention the number of times that so-and-so's office never sent the records to my doctor........ Keep those records!!! Cheryl in Tampa > > i learned this lesson the hard way -make sure all doctors list you as > the patient or parent as a correspondent. They will cc you on all > notes that should be sent to your primary, this will save you chasing > later should you need to gather records for another doctor. i had > issues with Boston Children's getting records to me . Just my 2cents > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 I want to chime in on this one as I was thinking earlier today that one of the best things I learned on this list is to ask for a copy to be sent to me. I had an MRI today for my shoulder as it is really bothering me again. Had rotator cuff surgery 4/1/2005 and recovered just fine. However this time I can't really use my left arm at all. Just hope I don't have to have another surgery on the shoulder. I know I have to have cataracts removed on my right eye, so hope this will be taken care of soon. So I did ask for a copy of the report and they will do it. After hearing about everyone asking for their pathology report, I realized I had forgot to do that. Still can I'm sure. Just my two cents. Janet A IDC Stage I Lumpectomy Dec 20 2005, shingles in January, Chemo Feb through May, and 35 sessions of radiation ER- PR- Her2- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Janet, Sorry to hear about your shoulder. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com Medical Records I want to chime in on this one as I was thinking earlier today that one of the best things I learned on this list is to ask for a copy to be sent to me. I had an MRI today for my shoulder as it is really bothering me again. Had rotator cuff surgery 4/1/2005 and recovered just fine. However this time I can't really use my left arm at all. Just hope I don't have to have another surgery on the shoulder. I know I have to have cataracts removed on my right eye, so hope this will be taken care of soon. So I did ask for a copy of the report and they will do it. After hearing about everyone asking for their pathology report, I realized I had forgot to do that. Still can I'm sure. Just my two cents. Janet A IDC Stage I Lumpectomy Dec 20 2005, shingles in January, Chemo Feb through May, and 35 sessions of radiation ER- PR- Her2- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Janet, Sorry to hear about your shoulder. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com Medical Records I want to chime in on this one as I was thinking earlier today that one of the best things I learned on this list is to ask for a copy to be sent to me. I had an MRI today for my shoulder as it is really bothering me again. Had rotator cuff surgery 4/1/2005 and recovered just fine. However this time I can't really use my left arm at all. Just hope I don't have to have another surgery on the shoulder. I know I have to have cataracts removed on my right eye, so hope this will be taken care of soon. So I did ask for a copy of the report and they will do it. After hearing about everyone asking for their pathology report, I realized I had forgot to do that. Still can I'm sure. Just my two cents. Janet A IDC Stage I Lumpectomy Dec 20 2005, shingles in January, Chemo Feb through May, and 35 sessions of radiation ER- PR- Her2- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 By all means get copies of reports. I have corrected more than one report, the most notable being the breast MRI that had the cancer in the wrong breast!!!!!! Glad I saw that one before the surgeon did! Ruth > > I want to chime in on this one as I was thinking earlier today that one of the best things I learned on this list is to ask for a copy to be sent to me. I had an MRI today for my shoulder as it is really bothering me again. Had rotator cuff surgery 4/1/2005 and recovered just fine. However this time I can't really use my left arm at all. Just hope I don't have to have another surgery on the shoulder. I know I have to have cataracts removed on my right eye, so hope this will be taken care of soon. > > So I did ask for a copy of the report and they will do it. After hearing about everyone asking for their pathology report, I realized I had forgot to do that. Still can I'm sure. Just my two cents. > > Janet A > IDC Stage I > Lumpectomy Dec 20 2005, shingles in January, Chemo Feb through May, and 35 sessions of radiation > ER- PR- Her2- > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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