Drs releasing records

[rwethereyet]

When I went to a new pediatrician, I asked the current Dr to make a copy of my records and I signed a release form, but they would not release the copies until I gave them the name of my new pediatrician. Can they do that legally?

 

[puggymom]

I am not sure. I have only had records sent to another doctor once. The old office faxed the records to the new office so they knew the new docs name.

 

[CableChick]

I don't belive so. But they can charge you. However, most don't charge if it is another doctor's office requesting the copies.

 

[puggymom]

I am not sure. I have only had records sent to another doctor once. The old office faxed the records to the new office so they knew the new docs name.

I take that back, I requested my daughters shot records (she was flying with MIL and that was one of the two proof of age requirements). They gave them to me no questions asked.

 

[citysherry]

When I went to a new pediatrician, I asked the current Dr to make a copy of my records and I signed a release form, but they would not release the copies until I gave them the name of my new pediatrician. Can they do that legally?

Its due to the HIPPA laws.

 

[belvak]

Way back in dinosaur times when I worked in the medical records department of a hospital, people could come get copies of their records for other physicians for free. If they wanted them for their own records, there was a fee to cover the photocopying and the salary of the person standing at the copy machine. If I remember correctly, the fee was based on number of pages. Basically, if someone came in and wanted a copy of their ER report or chart from a stay for another doctor - free. If they came in wanting same for a lawyer - fee. A parent of a child under 18 had access to their child's records too, but a wife couldn't get hubby's (or vice versa) without a signed release form from the spouse.

 

[vraiblonde]

I think that's bull#### and just another reason why I hate doctors and won't have anything to do with them beyond the extremely necessary. What a racket.

And when President Obama gives us all government health care, we'll literally be hostages to the worst the medical industry has to offer.

 

[Larry Gude]

How about...

I
And when President Obama gives us all government health care, we'll literally be hostages to the worst the medical industry has to offer.

...WORSE. It's as bad as it is now. It is probably reasonable to expect 'worst' to take on whole new dimensions once Uncle Sam puts on the stethoscope and asks you to disrobe or turn your head and cough.

 

[MMDad]

More info from the link I provided above...

Can an organisation charge an individual a fee for providing access to the....

Question: Can an organisation charge an individual a fee for providing access to the individual?s medical records and how much should that fee be?

Answer: Under the new private sector provisions, an organisation can charge for providing access to medical records. The fees which an organisation can charge for providing access must not be excessive and must not apply to the mere lodgement of a request for access. National Privacy Principle (NPP) 6.4 aims to prevent organisations from using excessive charges to discourage individuals from making requests for access to their medical records. See NPP 6.4.

If an organisation incurs substantial costs in meeting a request for access, then the organisation could charge a reasonable fee to meet the administrative costs involved. For example, an organisation could recover some of the costs of photocopying or of the staff time involved. For more information on charging for access to medical records, see Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector and, on charging for access generally, see Information Sheet 4.

That's Australian law. I'm pretty sure Southern maryland isn't in Australia.

 

[MMDad]

Start on page 14:

http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/hipaa/pdf/MCMRAcomp.pdf

 

[kwillia]

That's Australian law. I'm pretty sure Southern maryland isn't in Australia.

I was wondering why the governmental site was spelling things weird...

Let me go look again...

 

[cattitude]

That's Australian law. I'm pretty sure Southern maryland isn't in Australia.

Pretty funny. I knew it wasn't from around here....organiSation.

 

[kwillia]

Start on page 14:

http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/hipaa/pdf/MCMRAcomp.pdf

Found this summarization and it looks like U.S. law mirrors the Australian law...


Medical Records: State Laws and Regulations Regarding Ownership and Patient Access


Authors: John Contrubis and Thomas Carr, American Law Division

Abstract: The ownership of medical records is generally recognized as belonging to the hospital, medical facility, or physician, subject to the patient's interest in the information contained in the record. The American Hospital Association similarly believes that "although the medical record is kept for the benefit of the patient, the physician, and the health care institution, it is the property of the health care institution with other interests recognized by law." This report describes the various state laws regarding who owns the medical record and what right the patient has to access such record.


Penny Hill Press - Congressional Research Service Documents

 

[Callie girl]

When I switched, I just filled out the form and they sent them over to the new peditrician. Made it easier for me :shrug:

 

[rwethereyet]

Thanks for all the info. I knew it was considered their records, but to not release a copy of them to me until I told them who my knew Dr is, I thought was just them being nosey.....

 

[beerlover]

I had a problem with a records transfer when I moved once. The old pediatrician said they had sent the records, but the new pediatrician never received them. So I tried to have them sent again, and paid a fee this time (I think close to $100). Two months later, still no records. The old pediatrician office said they had already sent the records twice and didn't want to send them again. Meanwhile, the new office was telling me that the kids would have to have all new immunizations to get into school since there was no record of them having had them. I offerred to drive down to the old office and carry he records up myself and they said they wouldn't allow that because the records were their property. They eventually sent the files again with another fee charged and the new doc received them. It was a big PITA.

 

[punjabigyrl]

I agree Vrai...Obama is going to RUIN healthcare. I am liking the idea of a medical tourist to india. the doctors are educated here they have the equipment from here and way way way cheaper. I have a friend that wne to india for 3 implant in his teeth $3000.00 total cost with ticket 5500.