Do I have the right to walk

into a former doctor's office and ask for my medical records and should I expect to get them?

You must give them notice that you need a copy of your records and be prepared to pay a copy fee. They must be givem ample time to copy the records. Susie

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But I will never go back to him again. Why should he need to keep them? He discharged me.

Its the nice laws we have to abide by. I don't think you will get them by just walking in, Susie

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The records you will receive will be copies of things like surgical reports, test results, lab results, and what medications you have been prescribed.  The doctor's notes are the legal personal property of the doctor, and the patient, by law, is not entitled to receive them.

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Living in the Republic of Texas minus a gallbladder, a couple of cervical discs, appendix, uterus, and 18" of colon; but living with my wonderful husband, 2 dogs, 1 cockatiel, and 2 gold fish. 

i recently needed mine for a trip to a new pain clinic.  I simply called and asked and they faxed me copies... i dont' know if they ever give up the originals though

Yep gotta agree with Susie.I know in the past I had to sign a release form and then pay for each copy and I gotta tell you if you looked at my files that's alot of money.Call them tell them that you want to have your files and that you will pay for them.

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Curley

it is cheaper to wait and have your new doc send for them, then you shouldn't have to pay, otherwise you might have to pay per page, which could really add up.

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48 y/o woman.  Diagnosed 4/06 after colonscopy, SBFT, CT-scan all showed crohns. 3 months later, after pred and remicade, all tests showed no crohns. In December had adhesions cut through a laparoscopy. Now just taking Glycolax, metamucil, and began Humira 9/07.

The law entitles you to a copy of your medical records from any medical facility.   Generally, they will require you to fill out a signed consent form.  Most places charge the patient for the copies, but don't charge if going directly to another medical office.  What kind of records you will get out of your file is another matter.  Seems like everyone has their own standard as to what records they will release, i.e. everything from your chart, down to just transcribed records.  It can be very annoying trying to get the information you need. 

One clinic I went to would only provide transcribed notes, full of errors, and nothing else, not even the chart of what medications I took, dosages, starting/stopping dates, etc...  That was the information I really needed.  However, if you need to the records for a new doctor, I would also request a copy for yourself, just so you know what information the doctor will be receiving.  That way you will be prepared to answer questions your new doctor might have from your old records.  It's good to have copies of your records from every doctor you have seen, for continuity.

What I really want to know is what happens to those records if the doctor retires, the office closes, etc...  Are they stored somewhere or destroyed?  Anyone have a clue?

Leigh Ann

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Basic info:

• On Disability for: Chronic Migraines, serious Back and Knee problems (will need surgery eventually), moderate Depression, Anxiety/Panic disorder, TMJ 
• Divorced, 42, no children
• Surgeries: Gastric Bypass, Gallbladder Removed (followed by a week in the hospital for a Blood Clot), Impacted Kidney Stone Removed, Broken Ankle, Major Dental work(four molars pulled, multiple cavities, root canals) 
• Current Meds: Lexapro, Klonopin, Wellbutrin, Stadol Nasal Spray, Lortab, Trazadone, Buspar, Nexium, Tramadol, Phenergan, PROHIBITED FROM ALL NSAIDS
• Current Problem: Internal Bleeding, possible ulcer in location of Gastric Bypass

Cranky - your question about document retention is a good one, and one of the reasons I began gathering my records for personal use years ago. I am not aware of any nation-wide rule regarding the retention of medical records by the doctor, but most eventually will destroy them if you haven't been a patient in a few years. Once I got everything together and up-to-date, I made it a habit to request copies of any procedure at the time of the follow-up appointment. That way the chart is right in front of the staff, and I have never been refused. For example, after surgery I'll ask for a copy of the surgical report, any lab results and the pathology report. Seems to be easy on everyone involved to make a copy while you're right there with your chart and the doctor.

Gramps - thanks for the clarification on ownership of doctor's notes. I didn't realize that once they make their notes public to another doctor or hospital, that rule no longer applies.

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Living in the Republic of Texas minus a gallbladder, a couple of cervical discs, appendix, uterus, and 18" of colon; but living with my wonderful husband, 2 dogs, 1 cockatiel, and 2 gold fish. 

Alot of times if a dr is retiring or moving his office will notify you or I have seen ads ran in the paper the office is closing on such & such date. If you were a patient there you could pick your records up on whatever days....... Susie

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