Hi, In answer to my post, Neuro thinks I'm nuts it seemed like some of you indicatd you had viewed your medical records. So my question...how many of your requestd to read or have a copy of what doctor wrote? Have any of you corrected or added to the record based upon what you have read? Do you keep a copy of your written correction and ask doc to sign it? How do you get copiies? I'd really like to see what my rhumy, Neuro, ID are writing? thank you all again!!
Posted by ibrakeforticks (Member # 6785) on :
I'm just trying to learn about this too. Read about HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, 1996). Try calling their office and requesting copies of your records. If there are errors, you have the right to request corrections or amendments. It's a hassle, but I think in general we have more power than we realize, but it requires taking responsibility and being assertive. To reduce errors to begin with, take someone with you to appointments, or a tape recorder. Doctors have too many patients and get confused and make mistakes, even though, as we all know, they're gods.
Posted by Lyddie on :
Ys, we have all of our medical records. You just request in writing, and some offices have specific forms to fill out.
I have also corrected some mistakes. Again, some offices have forms for this too. They won't ever erase mistakes, they just add on a note about the error.
We have seem some horrendous errors in the records, which could have affected care or future relationships with other doctors. Just amazing.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Yes, hubby gets copies of everything. All doctors and hospitals have forms to fill out to request medical records. Some doctors will charge you a flat fee -- $10 or $15 -- plus a copy charge, some charge for copies only and others do not charge at all. Every state has different laws stating the maximum the doctor or hospital can charge.
Psych records are the most difficult to get. Most doctors will send records to another doctor without charge -- if you are having a hard time prying loose the records ask them to be sent to another doctor and then get a copy from that doctor.
We have had corrections made a couple of times -- doctors don't like to do this, but they will if you insist.
You should ask for and keep copies of the doctor's office notes and all medical tests and lab reports. Hubby has even gotten copies of various MRI films etc -- it is so much easier to have them all in 1 place if another doctor ever needs to see them.
Bea Seibert
Posted by millymollymandy (Member # 7703) on :
Over here in the UK, I have been told by my surgery that you can only look at your records with your doctor present and you have to make an appointment. It would take me at least an hour to go through my records and I don't feel that I can waste my docs time like that...
Posted by ponytail (Member # 36) on :
Yup - I try to keep up w/ my records!
My docs have a form you fill out to request them.
There is a fee most of the time.
I have found that if I take my form to my appointment, I can ususally get my lab results w/ no fee!
I try to obtain compies about every 3 to 6 months to keep the cost down.
I have always done this but, it became MUCH more important as I went thru the process of applying for disability etc.
Sherry
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Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :
As Sherry said, this is CRITICAL to have all these medical records when you file for SS Disability insurance benefits.
I paid $15 flat fee for my clinic records of 15 years, and $10 to hospital for all the surgery notes I'd had done.
I never had to pay again.
Yes, you need to sign THEIR form requesting copies.
Also as stated, if they give you problems, tell them you want copies to take to your NEW dr. and insist on hand-delivering them to new dr. Then you can go to a copy store & make your own.
This is the time to get WRONG info corrected and read other comments they do not tell us but are put into our records. Good luck.
