getting your medical records.

babycakes17 · 05-25-2004, 09:11 PM

What should I do?I just went to my endo's office today and asked for my medical records and they gave me all my lab tests results and nothing else. I asked the receptionist that copied them where the rest was at and she said that was it. I said where 's the doctors notes and she said that was all that she could give me a copy of. I live in IL. and I thought it was my legal right to have all my medical records if I requested them. SHould I get a lawyer or what should I do to get the rest of my records.? I have only seen this doctor 3 times and I was supposed to see him again in July ,but now I think I will find me another endo.

Help what should I do?

prunepie · 05-25-2004, 09:24 PM

i dont know what the law is... but can i ask why you need his notes and not just the lab reports??? maybe someone can help you with the law part xo jenn

Babydust4me · 05-25-2004, 09:45 PM

You should be able to get them all. I got all of my drs notes, what their plans were for treatment, all my dx, all my labs, and all my u/s pics copied. You do have to give them a handwritten note stating you want your medical records and that you will pick them up...they have by law 30days at the most to produce them.
Could it be also this doctor did not keep handwritten records? I dont know, that sounds silly though.
I would contact them again and let them you know you want them ALL!!! And if not, ask why and then let them know you will retain a lawyer if needed...or ask to speak with the dr himself.

As for WHY anyone would want them are when you switch drs offices you need all your records. I keep mine for personal reasons, just to have them. I keep copies.

prunepie · 05-25-2004, 10:34 PM

oh.. i get it.. but when i moved to other drs all they asked for is copies of lab work from previous doctors, not the doctors notes.... omg i cant imagine what some drs notes would be like!! xoxo jenn

Hestia · 05-26-2004, 01:19 AM

A lot of doctors' offices will hem and haw about giving you copies of the doctor's notes...but you have every right to have them.

Ask to speak directly to whomever handles medical records. Tell that person you are requesting a copy of your entire medical record, INCLUDING doctor's notes. If they protest, tell them that you are aware of your legal rights to access this information. If you state this calmly and firmly, most offices will back down. Also, work your way up the food chain--talk to medical records first, then the doctor's nurse, and then, if necessary, the doctor.

If that doesn't work, you can retain a lawyer, but it might be less expensive to contact a consumer rights group or even to report your doctor's office to the state medical review board or licensing agency.

GOOD LUCK!

Pattyannruss · 05-26-2004, 11:23 AM

You need to sign a transfer paper.

This is how I got my records moved to a new place.

But I know dentists won't do this.
They say they have to keep you records for 30 years!!

So they make fuzzy copies that are of no use.
(found out the hard way)

Good luck,

Wiggleynose · 05-26-2004, 02:08 PM

Yep, You have to fill out the request for records form they have there.
Have them send them to your home or just tell them you'll pick them up in a week or two. They cannot, by law (unless it's a psychiatrist) hold any of your records from you in whole or in part.

Only they have to make sure not some regular joe is asking for records and will need proof you asked for them if anything ever happened legally. Ya know?

Here's what I found on a site:

a Federal Regulation has taken hold which mandates patient access to medical records. The Regulation is called the Privacy Rule and became effective April 14, 2001 with two years till all health care providers need to comply with the Rule. The Rule emphasizes that patients have a right to a copy of their medical record whenever the patient requests it. Records from Psychiatrists and Psychologists are an exception (see section 3.8II). If the patient finds the provider not complying with the request, the patient should complain to the provider's Privacy Officer (every provider is required to have a Privacy Officer) or to the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services which has enforcement responsibility for the Privacy Rule.

The 30 days applies to amendments to your records but I looked up the federal rule and didn't see where it said 30 days to obtain records but then again, I didn't look at it in great depth.

Hope that helps.

Wiggles.

NurseJen · 05-30-2004, 04:25 AM

ALL of your medical record- your whole CHART is yours. You will get copies because legally the office has to keep the original copies for X number of years.

Go back and request all of them. If you have seen them in the office- which you have, then you have dictations(doctor's notes) and also nurses notes + labs.

It is one of my pet peeves when these idiotic doctor's offices don't understand this.

Jen

Twizzles · 06-01-2004, 10:08 PM

You are able to obtain all dictations and lab reports from your physician's office. BE AWARE, if you have previously sent records from another office to your current physician and didn't get a copy of those records before transferring, you will not be able to obtain those records from your current physician. You will have to contact the previous physician for another copy of the records and hope the records have not been destroyed. Our physician's office has to keep records for 7 years. After that, all records are shredded. Legally a physician can not release another physicians dictation or lab reports. That is why I state for you to have a copy of all records each time you switch physicians. Also BE AWARE that it's legal for an office to charge up to $25.00 for copying your records.

chelle_belle99504l · 06-01-2004, 10:27 PM

Working in the medical field, I can tell you that you are entitled to a full copy of your records. Ask why they are not willing to do this, I know the only time we don't is if there is an outstanding balance due. Some offices will even charge you a per page fee for your records, which is completly legal.

I agree with the others though that you should put in writing that you would like a copy of your records.

HTH
Chelle

brendababy · 06-02-2004, 12:59 AM

Hi,
I too work in the medical field and actually am the one who works in medical records. We have the patient sign a consent form giving us the right to release the record to either the patient or their new doctor. You can at any time request a copy of your records and we cannot charge you for that, unless they are going to an outgoing party besides yourself. If we charge its a flat $50.00 fee and that is usually if it is going to an insurance company. It is your right to these records and the doctors always have progress notes (notes handwritten by the dr during your visit). Like someone said, if you had records sent from a previous doctor to your current doctor, the previous doctor may have overlooked sending your past progress notes. But that is odd if they did so. Usually my endocringologist sends my physician (whom I work for) a letter informing him of what he did or found upon my visit. When I copy medical records the doctor generally looks through the chart and finds the most recent progress notes for the last few visits and any consultation notes from other doctors the patient may have seen. If I were you, I would make sure to talk with your doctor directly and ask him or her about those notes. Dont waste your time talking with the girls working the front desk, because unfortunately they dont always get the importance of your request across to the doctor. This is your medical record you are looking for and you deserve to get the answers you need. Dont take no for an answer, and if you have to ask to look at your chart yourself. I really dont think they can hold it back from you. We hold onto charts for 7 years and then they are shipped off (I'm not too sure where), but we dont hold them any longer than those 7 years. So dont waste any time. Good Luck!!!

Brenda