Difficulty getting medical records

[Guest guest]

I've tried for over a month to get copies of my OB GYN medical records to

show my problems with weight over the years. The records this doctor has

go back 15+ years and I thought they would prove helpful in case the

insurance wants more proof of medically necessity.

The office kept calling me at work and leaving a message saying *this is

her doctors office* and that's all they would say! I was so frustrated

getting these types of messages over and over again! How the heck am I

suppose to know which doctor called, and what # I'm suppose to call back

at, and who to talk to when I called? After some detectives work, I

figured out which doctor was calling and called them yesterday to see if

they sent copies of my records yet.

Get this...the woman told me I would need to come in and pay $10.00 for

copies of MY medical records! Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?!

I've NEVER been asked to pay for copies of medical records. After another

10 minutes of me questioning the office lady, she told me IF a doctors

office sends them a written request and I come in and sign a release they

can send the copies to the other doctor at no charge. I asked her if she

could fax me the release form and she said no I had to come in and pick it

up.

V. in MD

[Guest guest]

<

copies of MY medical records! Has anyone ever heard of such a

thing?!>>

When my PCP retired, I had to pay $20.00 to have her send a copy of

the records to the new PCP (she was using a records service).

Earlier that year, I had gone into the office myself to pick up a

copy of my records, and there was no charge. I don't think it's

unusual to charge a fee for photocopying records, although it is

quite annoying!

Kate

[Guest guest]

<

copies of MY medical records! Has anyone ever heard of such a

thing?!>>

When my PCP retired, I had to pay $20.00 to have her send a copy of

the records to the new PCP (she was using a records service).

Earlier that year, I had gone into the office myself to pick up a

copy of my records, and there was no charge. I don't think it's

unusual to charge a fee for photocopying records, although it is

quite annoying!

Kate

[Guest guest]

<

copies of MY medical records! Has anyone ever heard of such a

thing?!>>

When my PCP retired, I had to pay $20.00 to have her send a copy of

the records to the new PCP (she was using a records service).

Earlier that year, I had gone into the office myself to pick up a

copy of my records, and there was no charge. I don't think it's

unusual to charge a fee for photocopying records, although it is

quite annoying!

Kate

[Guest guest]

>

> Get this...the woman told me I would need to come in

> and pay $10.00 for

> copies of MY medical records! Has anyone ever heard

> of such a thing?!

Very frustrating. My children's Pediatrician charges

$5.00 to fill out Physical papers which we need for

school, sports, trips...I've learned to make copies to

keep on hand but it's very annoying to have to pay in

the first place.

=====

Age 41

BMI 61

Consult 6/7/01

Dr. Herron

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Uou actually don't need their form to complete. You can fax to them a letter

that asks them to send your medical records to another healthcare provider.

Include your full name, social security number, date of birth, time span of

records you want sent, and the place you want them sent. You will need to

provide

your signature also. Address the letter to the provider you want to send

records.

And in your letter you can say " I request Dr jerk to send my medical records

to.. Dr Wonderful, etc.

This is what is legally required. No form is needed. and yes, a charge is

common when a patient asks for their records. It costs to make them and the

pass on the cost of staff time, use of the copy machine, paper, mailing onto

you.

in Seattle

>I've tried for over a month to get copies of my OB GYN medical records to

>show my problems with weight over the years. The records this doctor has

>go back 15+ years and I thought they would prove helpful in case the

>insurance wants more proof of medically necessity.

>

>The office kept calling me at work and leaving a message saying *this is

>her doctors office* and that's all they would say! I was so frustrated

>getting these types of messages over and over again! How the heck am I

>suppose to know which doctor called, and what # I'm suppose to call back

>at, and who to talk to when I called? After some detectives work, I

>figured out which doctor was calling and called them yesterday to see if

>they sent copies of my records yet.

>

>Get this...the woman told me I would need to come in and pay $10.00 for

>copies of MY medical records! Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?!

>I've NEVER been asked to pay for copies of medical records. After another

>10 minutes of me questioning the office lady, she told me IF a doctors

>office sends them a written request and I come in and sign a release they

>can send the copies to the other doctor at no charge. I asked her if she

>could fax me the release form and she said no I had to come in and pick it

>up.

>

>

> V. in MD

>

>

>----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

>

> <

> copies of MY medical records! Has anyone ever heard of such a

> thing?!>>

>

> When my PCP retired, I had to pay $20.00 to have her send a copy of

> the records to the new PCP (she was using a records service).

> Earlier that year, I had gone into the office myself to pick up a

> copy of my records, and there was no charge. I don't think it's

> unusual to charge a fee for photocopying records, although it is

> quite annoying!

>

> Kate

I had visited a doctor ONCE, my " chart " was less than 5 pages thick,

my new doctor requested a copy, and... I got a bill for $20.00. I was

so angry I was crying. I called the copying service, told them that

it was bad enough he(the doctor) had blown me off instead of trying to

help me, but charging me to copy less than 5 pages was outrageous, &

what could I do about it? I guess crying women intimidated him,

because he told me not to worry about it, and he'd take the charge

off. I hate to cry in public.. but I was not upset about the outcome!

Good Luck-

Liane