medical records

[Guest guest]

My son’s doctors LOVE my binder so much that when we go in for an appointment the nurse just ask to see my binder and they use it to update their records.

This is also very helpful in filling out the red tape paperwork for SSI, i also keep logs of seizures and med refills (SSI asks about these) A list of doctors too, i just tape their cards on a page

J, Mom to 15, mito unknown, Mirella, 3 months, status unknown (showing some signs but could be because she was early)

[Guest guest]

NEVER! Why would you have to pay for your OWN records. Thats crazy to me.

[Guest guest]

NEVER! Why would you have to pay for your OWN records. Thats crazy to me.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was once asked to pay for the records, something like 25 cents a page and it was a bunch of records. Under the new HIPPA laws, they are required by law to let you have a copy (just kindly remind them of the HIPPA laws - pronounced like hippo only with an a but they are allowed to charge you a "reasonable" fee for copying, which if the records are big could amount to something like $25.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Anne R

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was once asked to pay for the records, something like 25 cents a page and it was a bunch of records. Under the new HIPPA laws, they are required by law to let you have a copy (just kindly remind them of the HIPPA laws - pronounced like hippo only with an a but they are allowed to charge you a "reasonable" fee for copying, which if the records are big could amount to something like $25.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Anne R

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was once asked to pay for the records, something like 25 cents a page and it was a bunch of records. Under the new HIPPA laws, they are required by law to let you have a copy (just kindly remind them of the HIPPA laws - pronounced like hippo only with an a but they are allowed to charge you a "reasonable" fee for copying, which if the records are big could amount to something like $25.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Anne R

[Guest guest]

Hi Tina :-)

Yes, we have paid for records before, though thankfully anymore I ask

and the doctors are happy to have a report sent to me directly at the same

time they are sending one to our primary care doctor. If requesting

from the hospital records department though, we generally do have to pay.

Legally we have a right to the records but they can charge "reasonable"

fee's to copy and give them to us. Our pediatrician's office is legally

able to give us a copy of any of their records, but legally are not really

supposed to allow us to make copies of other specialists reports (though

thankfully the one we have right now does). Some offices like to

make it more complicated than others unfortunatly.

As for what I say when they ask me why, like someone else mentioned,

I keep a binder of all their records and so just tell them its for our

own personal records. In the early days of seeing docs getting the

records always seemed alot more complicated, but thankfully anymore its

not usually an issue and few questions are asked.

Good luck with everything!!

-- BIG hugs,

Kass, proud mom to Chance(10-Mito), Madison(7-Mito),

and Abby(6-Mito)

Updates (http://www.caringbridge.org/tx/mitowhat/)

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments

that take our breath away" Unknown

Tina Hurst wrote:

Hi all, I hope you all had a nice weekend.

I was wondering for those of you who get copies of medical records and

test results...do you have to pay for them? I called Children's in

Columbus to try and get Kaelyn's medical records, and they were going to

charge me...I figured it would probably be at least $25 or so to get them.

I'm going again in April, and I'm wanting to get a copy of the letter that

the doctor sends to my PCP...can I just request it while I'm there?

So far my medical records have come from Kaelyn's school....I signed the

release for them to receive her records and her EI teacher copied them

for me..so what I've gotten so far I haven't had to pay for. Also,

is there any way to get your hands on physicians notes? I still don't

know what was documented the day of her seizure in her peds. office and

I've wondered what was really documented since so many events are disputed

now. I've only requested her medical records ! once from her peds.

office and when they asked what for I said that the school wanted them

(which they did) and I offered to pick them up and take them with me on

her first day of school and was told that they weren't allowed to release

her information to me. How do you deal with a physician who is reluctant

(which is most if not all drs.) to release information? I know that

I do have the right to get them, but what reason do I say when they ask

me why I want them? Do I have to give them a reason? I've heard

to threaten with an attorney, but don't really want to put that kind of

strain on the relationship. At this point, I'm the one who is advocating

for her right now and they don't feel there's anything "wrong" with her,

so that just adds to the hassle of getting her records. I'd mainly

like to have them, just so I can have them. Know what I mean? Any

suggestions? Also, please comment on the "paying for records" issue

if any of you have been there. Thanks,Tina

Tina Mom

to Lexi, 5 1/2Kaelyn, 2 1/2 (???)Izaiah,

16 months

[Guest guest]

Hi Tina :-)

Yes, we have paid for records before, though thankfully anymore I ask

and the doctors are happy to have a report sent to me directly at the same

time they are sending one to our primary care doctor. If requesting

from the hospital records department though, we generally do have to pay.

Legally we have a right to the records but they can charge "reasonable"

fee's to copy and give them to us. Our pediatrician's office is legally

able to give us a copy of any of their records, but legally are not really

supposed to allow us to make copies of other specialists reports (though

thankfully the one we have right now does). Some offices like to

make it more complicated than others unfortunatly.

As for what I say when they ask me why, like someone else mentioned,

I keep a binder of all their records and so just tell them its for our

own personal records. In the early days of seeing docs getting the

records always seemed alot more complicated, but thankfully anymore its

not usually an issue and few questions are asked.

Good luck with everything!!

-- BIG hugs,

Kass, proud mom to Chance(10-Mito), Madison(7-Mito),

and Abby(6-Mito)

Updates (http://www.caringbridge.org/tx/mitowhat/)

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments

that take our breath away" Unknown

Tina Hurst wrote:

Hi all, I hope you all had a nice weekend.

I was wondering for those of you who get copies of medical records and

test results...do you have to pay for them? I called Children's in

Columbus to try and get Kaelyn's medical records, and they were going to

charge me...I figured it would probably be at least $25 or so to get them.

I'm going again in April, and I'm wanting to get a copy of the letter that

the doctor sends to my PCP...can I just request it while I'm there?

So far my medical records have come from Kaelyn's school....I signed the

release for them to receive her records and her EI teacher copied them

for me..so what I've gotten so far I haven't had to pay for. Also,

is there any way to get your hands on physicians notes? I still don't

know what was documented the day of her seizure in her peds. office and

I've wondered what was really documented since so many events are disputed

now. I've only requested her medical records ! once from her peds.

office and when they asked what for I said that the school wanted them

(which they did) and I offered to pick them up and take them with me on

her first day of school and was told that they weren't allowed to release

her information to me. How do you deal with a physician who is reluctant

(which is most if not all drs.) to release information? I know that

I do have the right to get them, but what reason do I say when they ask

me why I want them? Do I have to give them a reason? I've heard

to threaten with an attorney, but don't really want to put that kind of

strain on the relationship. At this point, I'm the one who is advocating

for her right now and they don't feel there's anything "wrong" with her,

so that just adds to the hassle of getting her records. I'd mainly

like to have them, just so I can have them. Know what I mean? Any

suggestions? Also, please comment on the "paying for records" issue

if any of you have been there. Thanks,Tina

Tina Mom

to Lexi, 5 1/2Kaelyn, 2 1/2 (???)Izaiah,

16 months

[Guest guest]

>Those of you who've responded so far...did you have to pay for anything?

>

At one hospital-based clinic, I autonomatically get copies in the mail of

the dictation from every doctor's appointment. When I also needed copies

of lab work to take elsewhere for a second opinion, they were provided at

no charge.

At another hospital-based clinic, I get a copy of the doctor's dictation

right at the appointment because the dictation is done on the computer

during the appointment. One time when I asked the doctor for copies of

some labs that weren't in the dictation, he literally walked over to the

computer and printed them out for me, no charge. However, when I needed

records from a surgery performed at the same hospital and went through

their medical records department, I was charged almost $30 for 11

photocopied pages! So, it all depends...be sure to ask, because my $30

bill was quite a surprise.

-- Mom to:

Emilie (17), mito--complex IV, cp, ld

Kaitlin (17), cp, asthma, a few autonomic symptoms

Ian (22) migraines

....and wife to Tim, who has a heart of gold

[Guest guest]

>Those of you who've responded so far...did you have to pay for anything?

>

At one hospital-based clinic, I autonomatically get copies in the mail of

the dictation from every doctor's appointment. When I also needed copies

of lab work to take elsewhere for a second opinion, they were provided at

no charge.

At another hospital-based clinic, I get a copy of the doctor's dictation

right at the appointment because the dictation is done on the computer

during the appointment. One time when I asked the doctor for copies of

some labs that weren't in the dictation, he literally walked over to the

computer and printed them out for me, no charge. However, when I needed

records from a surgery performed at the same hospital and went through

their medical records department, I was charged almost $30 for 11

photocopied pages! So, it all depends...be sure to ask, because my $30

bill was quite a surprise.

-- Mom to:

Emilie (17), mito--complex IV, cp, ld

Kaitlin (17), cp, asthma, a few autonomic symptoms

Ian (22) migraines

....and wife to Tim, who has a heart of gold

[Guest guest]

>Those of you who've responded so far...did you have to pay for anything?

>

At one hospital-based clinic, I autonomatically get copies in the mail of

the dictation from every doctor's appointment. When I also needed copies

of lab work to take elsewhere for a second opinion, they were provided at

no charge.

At another hospital-based clinic, I get a copy of the doctor's dictation

right at the appointment because the dictation is done on the computer

during the appointment. One time when I asked the doctor for copies of

some labs that weren't in the dictation, he literally walked over to the

computer and printed them out for me, no charge. However, when I needed

records from a surgery performed at the same hospital and went through

their medical records department, I was charged almost $30 for 11

photocopied pages! So, it all depends...be sure to ask, because my $30

bill was quite a surprise.

-- Mom to:

Emilie (17), mito--complex IV, cp, ld

Kaitlin (17), cp, asthma, a few autonomic symptoms

Ian (22) migraines

....and wife to Tim, who has a heart of gold

[Guest guest]

Tina,

I too, always get a copy of the test or record for that day when I

leave. When we moved back from NJ I had the hospital copy all

records for me and they didn't charge a thing. They gave me

everything! I would think if you told them that you need them for

several specialists and you would make the additional copies on your

own they may give them too you. Say you are seeing a neuro and

geneticist, then you would need two copies. Be firm, they are yours.

They may charge you, but from now on, get copies while ou are there.

A test here and there while at the docs office, they should not

charge you.I also have a binder with every test, EEG, MRI< etc etc.

When, in April, is her appt?

Good luck, Dawn

[Guest guest]

Tina,

I too, always get a copy of the test or record for that day when I

leave. When we moved back from NJ I had the hospital copy all

records for me and they didn't charge a thing. They gave me

everything! I would think if you told them that you need them for

several specialists and you would make the additional copies on your

own they may give them too you. Say you are seeing a neuro and

geneticist, then you would need two copies. Be firm, they are yours.

They may charge you, but from now on, get copies while ou are there.

A test here and there while at the docs office, they should not

charge you.I also have a binder with every test, EEG, MRI< etc etc.

When, in April, is her appt?

Good luck, Dawn

[Guest guest]

I was told recently that they will charge if you say it is for your own personal records but DON'T need to pay if you state "for continued services" on the medical file request form. This is what Mayo told me. Since we have doctors all over the place, it is helpful to have records to take with you and the records would be for the doctors we will see at other locations. Those docs can copy from our files and so we could keep a copy and still have some for the others easily. Hope this helps. Darla: mommy to Asenath, Zipporrah, and the gang Re: Re: medical records >Those of you who've responded so far...did you have to pay for anything?> At one hospital-based clinic, I autonomatically get copies in the mail of the dictation from every doctor's appointment. When I also needed copies of lab work to take elsewhere for a second opinion, they were provided at no charge.At another hospital-based clinic, I get a copy of the doctor's dictation right at the appointment because the dictation is done on the computer during the appointment. One time when I asked the doctor for copies of some labs that weren't in the dictation, he literally walked over to the computer and printed them out for me, no charge. However, when I needed records from a surgery performed at the same hospital and went through their medical records department, I was charged almost $30 for 11 photocopied pages! So, it all depends...be sure to ask, because my $30 bill was quite a surprise. -- Mom to:Emilie (17), mito--complex IV, cp, ld Kaitlin (17), cp, asthma, a few autonomic symptomsIan (22) migraines...and wife to Tim, who has a heart of goldPlease contact mito-owner with any problems or questions.

[Guest guest]

Tina,

They should forward you records to another doc for free. It is a

courtesy thing. To give them to you they charge you but free to go

to doc. Check it out. I have never had to pay for records to be

transfered. Good luck,

Dawn

[Guest guest]

Tina,

If you call the doctors office and ask them to send the other doc

the records they should do this without charging you. Sometimes if

they give them to you, they will charge them. It will not get you a

copy, but will get the new doc the records. They will probably ask

for a release of records authorization. Take a piece of paper and

write:

I, Tina Hurst, authorize Dr._______ to release all medical records

for my daughter Kaelyn Hurst/D.O.B.______ to Dr. ______ for an

upcoming appt. scheduled for _______.

Please send these records to:

(put in Adress).

Thank you,

(signature)

Drop this off at the doctors office and they should copy and send

the records. I have never had a doc refuse to do this. If they still

refuse, you need to threaten them a little. They are your records

and they are potentially harming and hindering your daughters

diagnosis and treatment.It shouldn't be a problem.

I would do it soon though, becuase they will not move quickly.

I hope this works. Good luck, Dawn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/29/04 4:27:38 AM Pacific Standard Time, Mito writes:

It does not make any sense that you cannot access her records.

It does if they have something to hide. They did that with my daughter's medical records for her first two years of life and I had to get a court order to get them. They just kept refusing, then "losing" the required written requests until I had the attorney request them (to prove she wasn't being abused or neglected as the cause of her illness). Were I vindictive I'd have taken several doctors licenses when I finally got to court with her records. As it was I was happy to prove she was indeed sick and in need of medical intervention which THEY were denying her by insisting she wasn't. If they refuse to give you copies of anything you request, it is because they need to hide something. NOW I request everything at the time of service.

kj

mom to De-Arbra age 16

complex III (+2 others I forget cos they were less important to the doc)

[Guest guest]

I always ask for copies of what I want the day I am there, to reduce the

costs of copies.

I have never been charged, but I wait for the hospital to send inf. to the

doctor and then get copies from them. I guess the hospital would charge me

if I asked them directly for inf.

God bless,

Hazelpone

----- Original Message -----

> >Those of you who've responded so far...did you have to pay for anything?

> >

> At one hospital-based clinic, I autonomatically get copies in the mail of

> the dictation from every doctor's appointment. When I also needed copies

> of lab work to take elsewhere for a second opinion, they were provided at

> no charge.

>

> At another hospital-based clinic, I get a copy of the doctor's dictation

> right at the appointment because the dictation is done on the computer

> during the appointment. One time when I asked the doctor for copies of

> some labs that weren't in the dictation, he literally walked over to the

> computer and printed them out for me, no charge. However, when I needed

> records from a surgery performed at the same hospital and went through

> their medical records department, I was charged almost $30 for 11

> photocopied pages! So, it all depends...be sure to ask, because my $30

> bill was quite a surprise.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen

If you live in Canada (as I do) when I want medical records...I call the

doctors office and they need a couple of days usually to cpoy them also they

will bill you for them. I live in Alberta where they nickle & dime you for

everything. I'm not sure if it is like that in Ontario (where I used to

live). Hope this helps & good luck.

Betty

Medical Records

> Hi,

>

> I have been trying to get a previous doctors office to send my

> medical records to my new doctor with no success. Now, I want to

> get them to make two copies one to take with me to NIH the other to

> keep and then give the orginals to my doctor. Is it permissible for

> me to just show up at the doctor's office and ask for my records?

> or do I need to call ahead, asking for them? or do I have to have

> my doctor write a note that I am going to hand carry them with me to

> NIH? I don't know what the right procedure is for doing this. I

> know that I have a right to my own records, i am just not sure how

> to go about getting them.

>

> Thanks for your advice!

>

> hugs,

> Jen

>

> EDS III

> Phoenix, AZ

>

>

>

>

> To learn more about EDS, visit our website: http://www.ehlersdanlos.ca

>