Obtaining Medical Records

[nyt]

Glad you have finally made head way obtaining your records. Your tenacity did pay off but its just one more thing you really shouldn't have to deal with!

[Karyn]

Thanks, Nyt but no pay dirt, yet. I still don't have the CD and THREE hours ago he said he would send the FAX. Still waiting ...

[Celeste]

Thank you for sharing this information. People need to know what to expect.

I'm sorry that a bad situation's been made worse for you.

[Karyn]

Thank you for your support, Celeste. I did finally receive the complete medical record - 2 phone calls and 4 hours later. Just waiting for the CD, now.
Warmest of regards,
Karyn

[Quilter 2]

Karyn;
Like I said on the phone, tell them you're getting a lawyer, doesn't you really need to, YET. Another thing, you could send them a bill for the 75.00 CD. At this point, I would. You won't get the money, but you will probably get the CD. If and that's a big word with that office, they made a copy, they can make another one and send it to you. Sounds to me, each one is passing the buck. I'm not a nurse, but usually the nurses take their orders from their boss, the doctor.
Good luck to you;
Doreen

[Faith]

No, I didn't pay anything for the Shobeiri records. I've learned that fee can be and is usually waived if you indicate you need them "for further medical care". There was nothing on the form I filled out in OKC about a fee for records and for what it's worth, I did ask about a fee as I handed my completed request to the medical assistant.

So sorry you have to mess with all this Karyn. Dealing with paperwork and insurance and all that mess is just added stress to our already stressful life. I am trying to get all my records from about 10 different docs/PT's, etc but most places are telling me that if they send them to me directly I have to pay usually anywhere from 49-89 cents a page, plus a $10-20 fee on top of that. That is just ridiculous. A lot of these places contract out to businesses who do their records for them. Dr. Hibner's office told me to personally bring my own records because it would be more than 20 pages so other doctors won't fax them. I have tried to tell these medical records people it is for another doctor, but they say if it comes directly to me I have to pay. I would really like to have a copy of my own records too (I have gotten some and it's so fun to read the doctor's interpretation of what was really said!) because every time I want to go to a new doctor I dont' want to have to get records from 10 different places faxed again. They will mail it to Hibner's office for free. So maybe that's what I will do, but it's a lot of records... I sure hope it gets there! Any other advice on what I could/should do?

[A's Mommy]

Faith,

I know it's such a pain w/ obtaining medical records. I had to obtain records from about 5 different states before I went to Hibner. Make copies of everything. It is your property anyways. I don't know the legalities of this, but I would say it's crazy to have to pay so much. There are ways around it. For example, if your PCP requests records from the specialists, I don't believe there is a fee (I could be wrong). If you could get your PCP to give you copies of the records, then, you are gold.

A's Mommy

[Karyn]

I am trying to get all my records from about 10 different docs/PT's, etc but most places are telling me that if they send them to me directly I have to pay usually anywhere from 49-89 cents a page, plus a $10-20 fee on top of that. That is just ridiculous.

Wow! That really IS ridiculous! I wonder why I don't (usually) have a hard time with that? Are you requesting your records via a "Medical Records Release" form? There are usually several different boxes you can check for the reason for the request. I would be charged if the request was just so I could have a copy, but the fee has always been waived if I check or write "for future/on-going medical care". Are all these places that you're trying to get records from local to you, Faith?
Warm regards,
Karyn

[Quilter 2]

Faith;
I have all of my records sent to my Primary. I call them after about a month and this Angel called Steph gives me whatever I want. I usually make another set of records for myself, just in case someone else wants them. I can make them whatever they need. There is no charge from a primary. Call your Primary's ofice and tell them you need such and such and they probably already have them. Usually all the docs want to know who your primary is so they can send copies. I think they do that so you can't get meds from 2 or more docs. I just picked one up today that was from a surgery 10 years ago. I called the hospital that did the surgery, gave them the fax number to my primary and Seph called me 2 hours later with the info. Give that a shot. You should not have to be put through all that extra poo poo!!
Lots of luck;
Doreen

[Faith]

[quote="Karyn]Are you requesting your records via a "Medical Records Release" form? There are usually several different boxes you can check for the reason for the request. I would be charged if the request was just so I could have a copy, but the fee has always been waived if I check or write "for future/on-going medical care". Are all these places that you're trying to get records from local to you, Faith?
Warm regards,
Karyn[/quote]

No unforunately most of these places I am trying to get records from are several hours away from me. One of them is my local OBGYN though and they charge the most! I am requesting records via a Medical Release form. Even though I tell them I want it for on-going medical care they say if it comes directly to me then I have to pay. If it goes to Dr. Hibner I don't pay.

I have all of my records sent to my Primary. I call them after about a month and this Angel called Steph gives me whatever I want. I usually make another set of records for myself, just in case someone else wants them. I can make them whatever they need. There is no charge from a primary. Call your Primary's ofice and tell them you need such and such and they probably already have them. Usually all the docs want to know who your primary is so they can send copies.

Yeah, that's part of my problem. I didn't have a PCP when all this started (just my OBGYN) because I had never been sick before. So I finally got a PCP, but I've only seen her twice. She doens't have any of my records. I could have them sent to her I guess, but I was told by one of the other doctors that they can't give you other doctors records that you have to sign a specific medical release form and get it from them. I guess it just depends on who you know. I did get my records from the one doctor I had in KY because KY's law is the first copy to you is free, additional copies you have to pay for. But IN, TN, MO all have different laws I guess. I had a phone consult with Dr. Conway and called to ask if there was any record of that, but the office staff said, "no, not unless you physically see him." Anyone know if that is true?