Quote:
Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow
Will the inpatient place hand you the files to deliver yourself? They legally have to but some will try to avoid that by charging you and arm and a leg (that happened to me when my family dr changed practices and the old one didn't want his patients to follow; they wanted to charge $25 plus $5 per every so many pages over the first few. No thanks, I can remember well enough).
Interestingly I've been waiting for probably 2 months for my surgical report from last year and I guess I'll have to call and request again. I think they really don't like to release to patients. I don't want to sue them, I just want to know exactly what was done.
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I know about that story (regarding charging for your records). My previous "Psychiatrist" (which in reference to Him/Her ((It was a husband/wife duo)) I use very loosely) tried that. They said, get this, it was $150 for a copy of my records. They even charged me $100 to send a "Doctors Recommendation" to my insurance so my insurance would fill a prescription once. I fell for it hook, line, and sinker at that point. After now, thank God for having to change insurance, being with an amazing PDoc and Psychiatrist they both said that was outrageous. And the PDoc said it was against the law for a doctor to charge his PATIENT a fee to give HIS clearance and explanation to the insurance. I didn't pursue it and just ran for the hills. They were beyond "pill pushers". They would NEVER take you off a medication, only add. Before I knew it I was on 10 medications a day and 2 as needed. Long story short, as can be expected, I wound up in-patient. But, all things work out good and now I am with two amazing doctors.
I don't see how it is lawful for a doctor to charge you for YOUR records...Seems like it would be your right to have them. I realize HE/SHE is the one treating you, but it still seems since its the records of YOUR health they should not be allowed to charge you for that.
If I was a doctor I sure as heck would not charge my patients for their records...its theirs in the first place.
Blessings,
Matt S.