I am writing this post because I cannot get my medical records from my old doctor. This doctor recently closed in Illinois. No forwarding address or new phone number was left. Normally when doctors retire they leave the handling of the records to someone on the staff or they hire someone outside the loop to manage them for a period of years.
If anyone has any info on how to contact this doctor and find out about the records, please let me know.
Thanks for any help.
-Mike
Posts: 181 | From chicago | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
I assume you are talking about Dr. B / Dr. M? When they closed they sent a letter notifying patients of the closing and provided a very brief period of time in which you could get your records. When I got mine, the only things in them were a handful of test reports.
I was irritated to say the least. Even before they closed I had a few experiences that were disconcerting. I find the whole thing weird and unprofessional. And suspect.
Posts: 38 | From behind the definitions | Registered: Sep 2005
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
Mike,
I obviously don't know your story or situation, but I had a doctor that passed on. A couple years later, I was told I needed to get his records. If your doctor was affliated with any hospital, quite often you can contact them and if they don't have them, they can point you in the right direction.
Good luck!
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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quote:Originally posted by fancykat: I assume you are talking about Dr. B / Dr. M? When they closed they sent a letter notifying patients of the closing and provided a very brief period of time in which you could get your records. When I got mine, the only things in them were a handful of test reports.
I was irritated to say the least. Even before they closed I had a few experiences that were disconcerting. I find the whole thing weird and unprofessional. And suspect.
Yes, that is who I am talking about. I agree, very suspect. At this point I may have no choice but to consider legal action. I really don't know what else to do at this point. NO forwarding address, no forwarding email, no new number, nothing. I really don't know what else to do.
Posts: 181 | From chicago | Registered: Jun 2002
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I don't want to get into detail here. But one of the things that bothered me was an "incident" that occurred while an interim doctor was taking the place of Dr. B (not Dr. M). I endured an unfortunate event that amongst other things ended up costing me thousands of dollars (which of course I didn't have). The first appointment I had after this, they stuck a bunch of papers in front of me to sign. It wasn't until later that I realized they were basically "contracts" to keep me from suing them. This was only one of several issues.
When I got the records (or lack thereof), I just grumbled and tried to put it behind me. But of course, we have a right to our records...and ALL of them. I just didn't know how to track them down.
Hope you aren't in a mess from this...crummy place to be when you are using all your energy just to feel better from one day to the next.
Posts: 38 | From behind the definitions | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Mike. I hope you are successful in getting your medical records. Getting medical records is always a hassle, but this is worse than usual!
I remember I only got copies of test results from Dr. B/Dr. M, no doctor's notes from appointments. I was disappointed about that, but it was too late to contact them at that point.
I hope you're able to track down some information -- sorry I can't be of help!
chicago bird
Posts: 69 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: May 2006
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hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
I, too, went to this doctor and became frustrated. I did not receive a letter saying she was closing her practice and as she is not affiliated with a hospital, the records were hard to get. Only because a friend told me her practice was closing was I able to get any records. Now there is no place to contact. I was told they go into storage for 7 years, but not how to contact them to get them out storage.
Only lab results were in the records which is a real bummer for me as I am now applying for short term disability.
This doctor also tried to get me to sign the contract that I would not sue and it was even insuated that I would not receive treatment if I did not sign. I did not sign and I did not go back.
If anyone has ideas how to get the doctor's written notes, I would be grateful.
Beware, some LLMD's can waddle like ducks. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8890 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
If either of those Dr's belong to ILADS email them through there might help you.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
quote:Originally posted by hiker53: I, too, went to this doctor and became frustrated. I did not receive a letter saying she was closing her practice and as she is not affiliated with a hospital, the records were hard to get. Only because a friend told me her practice was closing was I able to get any records. Now there is no place to contact. I was told they go into storage for 7 years, but not how to contact them to get them out storage.
Only lab results were in the records which is a real bummer for me as I am now applying for short term disability.
This doctor also tried to get me to sign the contract that I would not sue and it was even insuated that I would not receive treatment if I did not sign. I did not sign and I did not go back.
If anyone has ideas how to get the doctor's written notes, I would be grateful.
Beware, some LLMD's can waddle like ducks. Hiker
Fortunately I just called Igenex and they still had my positive test from 1999. That is a huge peace of the pie for me. They are sending a form for me to sign so I can get it. If you can remember any of your test labs, you might want to try calling them.
I was a former patient and I didn't get the letter either. This Dr IMHO was a caring doctor, but the combination of the medical malpractice insurance in the state of Illinois, the cutting edge stuff she was doing, and a very strict "come in once a month" policy even to patients who could not afford it probably led to an overload.
In all honesty I would probably be dead if it wasn't for this doctor. That's why I am puzzled over how this records situation was handled.
I will be forever grateful for this doctors services, and the fact this doctor put their neck on the line to actually listen and treat very sick lyme patients. In a world of "quacks" it must not be easy. It must make one paranoid to know even the top government disease sites don't even have your back. It's a shameful situation.
Posts: 181 | From chicago | Registered: Jun 2002
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quote:Originally posted by chicago_bird: I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Mike. I hope you are successful in getting your medical records. Getting medical records is always a hassle, but this is worse than usual!
I remember I only got copies of test results from Dr. B/Dr. M, no doctor's notes from appointments. I was disappointed about that, but it was too late to contact them at that point.
I hope you're able to track down some information -- sorry I can't be of help!
chicago bird
Thanks for the tips. I may be onto some contact information here shortly.
Posts: 181 | From chicago | Registered: Jun 2002
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