somedaysoon
Journeyman
Reged: 02/08/02
Posts: 61
Loc: USA-The South
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I am wondering about how to get my medical records from my family doctor. Do I just walk in and ask for them, or should I call first? Will they ask me what I need them for? What do I tell them? They haven't been very compliant for even the most simple request, so I am a little concerned.
I've been around here for a long time, but never done this. But, I am tired of having to beg an unwilling doctor for meds. Thanks for any advice.
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Scarlett O'Hara
"After all, tomorrow IS another day..."
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yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1193
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You have a legal right to them and owe them no explanation. Still, if you plan to use this doctor again, you might want to tell them you're planning to a see a specialist who requested them. Or, you want to give them to urgent care in case you ever need to see a doctor on a sunday.
I don't know if it's a state-by-state thing, but I've always had to sign something, it's like a premade request letter. Some doctor's offices are better than others in how quickly they'll get them to you. Just remember they must legally give it to you, and press them for it if they try to hassle you.
-yawkaw
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labdoc
Stranger
Reged: 07/22/03
Posts: 17
Loc: TX
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By law you are entitled to the records. The doctor cannot withhold them even if you maintain an outstanding balance with him/her. If there is a hassle, contact your state's medical examiner's board and report. They will contact the doctor and make certain that the records are provided. Most state laws do make provisions for remuneration to the doctor for the records to cover copy costs. It is usually a minimal amount, check with your state board to see what the max allowable cost is and then tell the dr office that you have done so. If they balk, tell them you are calling the board, that should put some kick in them and if nothing else they will provide the records in order not to get in trouble with the state board and a possibly heavy fine from them. Good luck! 
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Men who would forfeit a mere measure of freedom for a mere measure of security, deserve neither freedom mor security -- Ben Franklin'
Be careful, it's dumb out there. -- Tim Dorsey
Labdoc
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dickgahzinya
Newbie
Reged: 07/21/02
Posts: 28
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Here's how it worked for me. I went to the front desk at my Dr's office and asked for records. They gave me a request form to fill out. They told me to come back, as they copy records once a week, and that was it! 
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 466
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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You don't need to give them a reason, but if they ask and you feel compelled to answer, tell them you want them for your personal records- to keep on file. As previously stated by other posters, you don't owe them an explanation- you have a right to have copies and what if you wanted to file for disability some day? I work for an insurance company and one thing I tell my claimants if I speak to them before they file is make copies of everything- if they're fortunate enough to get records from their own doctor, make copies of those- for their own protection and for their own personal records. There is nothing wrong with this
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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sleepymonkey76
Journeyman
Reged: 08/31/02
Posts: 89
Loc: Midwest, USA
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It's actually pretty easy...
I called my local physican's office and politely asked for my medical records. The lady on the phone hesitated for a second, saying "Why do you need them?" but then I think she realized what she had said and that it was none of her goddamn business. I was transferred to another lady who told me she'd make copies and to come pick them up that afternoon. Done deal.
They are your's legally so don't let someone who doesn't know what the heck they are talking about tell you otherwise. It seems these days many professionals in the medical field feel as if they hold some kind of power for some reason.
But my advice to you is that I'd avoid the Doc and use the phone! Doctors can be REALLY difficult when it comes to issues like this.
Just my .02
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"There's so much gravity,
in gravity."
-SleepyMonkey
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prettyday
Threadhead
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 975
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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I think probably these days some staff are starting to do the math-they're difficult and then you're crying and then they're difficult and then you ask for your records and you're gone.
So if you think you are going to flinch under face to face, and yes above poster was right, dr. is hard, but so is phone conversation.
Send a certified letter requesting complete copies for personal at-home file you are assilimating for your own convienience.
ok, well, put this another way,
breeze in with a typed friendly consise letter requesting records, sign it in front of them, ask them to please keep track of fees and notify you of availability ASAP. All this while glancing thru your Filofax.
In other words, act like a person with places to go and this is just one little stop in your day. Before you go in, take a deep breath, and 'feel' that way, too.
There's your motivation, and action in motion. 
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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mslily
Board Addict
Reged: 09/06/02
Posts: 322
Loc: Cincinnati, OH
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By law, you are allowed to retrieve any medical records that are yours. I have had some records sent to me and other physicians require you to sign a release form to send them on to you. If I were you, I would probably give your physicians office a call and ask how you can have your records. They might have you come in to sign for them. It is none of their business why you are retrieving them. If you are non-confrontational like me, I would just say that you need them for your personal records. It shouldn't be a problem for you.
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/02/02
Posts: 1241
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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You'll have to sign a release form and you may have to pay a nominal fee for copying (which they usually don't ask for), but the records belong to you and the doctor cannot withhold them without facing penalties. You do not have to provide a reason. If they ask why, tell them that you want them for your files.
The only problem i ever had getting records was from a university clinic where they said it was their policy that they would not release records to anyone without scheduling an appointment with the clinic director to go over them in person and answer any questions. They scheduled a 50-minute appointment and charged $25 for the entire deal, including the copies. They also said that they always scheduled these appointments exactly two weeks after receiving a verbal request, and that it was impossible to get the records any sooner. No exceptions unless it was a life-threatening emergency. At the beginning of that session with the clinic director i had to sign a release form. If they receive a signed release from the patient authorizing release of records to a third party, they followed exactly the same procedure and made that other person wait two weeks from the time they made the request (with the patient's signed release in hand). Whenever they receive such a request from a third party (like from a government investigator), they call the patient and give them an opportunity to come in with a letter countermanding the release. Without a release from the patient, they give out records only upon order of a court. They destroy the records when they are ten years old.
In my case, she ended up waiving that $25 fee, so the records were free but i had to wait the two weeks. They charge the government the $25 when they come in for background investigations, etc.
Trampy
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Your mileage may vary ...
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neonsign2003
Veteran
Reged: 12/26/02
Posts: 532
Loc: midwest
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I TELL THEM I WANT THE RECORDS TO ASSURE THEY ARE ACCURATE. ( I HAVE RECEIVED SOME THAT WERE FAR FROM ACCURATE) IF SOMETHING IS ON RECORDS (USALLY A DOCTORS OPNION) TELL THEM YOU WANT ALL RECORDS USED IN FORMING THAT OPNION,,,,PISSES EM OFF AND I LOVE THAT! REMEMBER: YOU WANT EVERY SCRAP OF PAPER THAT YOUR NAME APPEARS ON........ALL OF THEM. IF YOU DON'T INSIST ON THIS, THEY WILL HOLD BACK.
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somedaysoon
Journeyman
Reged: 02/08/02
Posts: 61
Loc: USA-The South
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Wow, I noticed on the entrance page that this topic is the current "hot topic"! Thanks for all the helpful replies!
The way they "guard" the dang chart when you're in the doctor's office, I just didn't think they'd EVER give the records to me. I tried to "peek" and see what my blood pressure was last time and she looked at me like I had swallowed a cow, and said "you looking for something?" in a real nasty voice. I was a little taken aback, and quite frankly a little intimidated, and I shakily said "I just wondered what my blood pressure was", to which she said with the chart firmly placed on her chest "it's 90 over 60, the same as it was last time and the time before that" like she didn't think that's what I REALLY wanted to know. I had no idea the medical records are MINE and they are required to let me have them if I want them. Wait till next time I'm in that office...
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Scarlett O'Hara
"After all, tomorrow IS another day..."
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catmom
Board Addict
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 326
Loc: Midwest
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Don't let the white-coated nazis intimidate you! Go get 'em somedaysoon! 
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God, please help me to be the person my DOG already thinks I am.
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