GP changed MH diagnosis, how do I get the record changed?

I started with a new GP in March for a physical and we discussed my MH diagnosis at that time just so he would know. I also signed up at that time for their new ability to access your medical records online, schedule appointments, get prescriptions refills, etc program. I just accessed it. He changed my diagnosis, accidentally or on purpose, I don't know but it is not accurate. I am concerned because my disability benefits are based on the other diagnosis, so it is not just a matter of being picky, and actually after years of failed dx and treatments, the one my pdoc and T have given me actually fits. Otherwise I could care less about the diagnosis.

How would you approach going about getting this changed?

Thanks in advance for you input!!

Hello Fresia,

The psychiatrist is the expert in diagnosing mental health conditions. I would make an appointment with your GP to find out if this was a mistake or if the psychiatrist had contacted him with a new diagnosis. If the GP will not change the diagnosis then you will need to contact your psychiatrist as it is up the psychiatrist not the GP.

Dear Fresia,

You are not being picky and you and Peg are correct.
On Monday contact your new primary dr. and explain the situation,
remain calm have your old dr & T information name/address/phone.
Tell the primary your dx need to correlate with treatments/benefits you are receiving.

Primary doctor should not be dxing psych issues, nor should a Psych doctor be treating a broken leg.

Do know that as we heal dxs' may change but if medications and treatment plan is still the same, I wouldn't worry. After you get more information contact your benefits worker.

It was good that you are keeping up on things.
Have a good weekend,
H.

just a little information.... if you have your disability benefits here in america (ie SSI,or SSDI) a change in diagnosis will not affect your disability payments if the new diagnosis is whats keeping you from working/ affects your life.

I know many people who got their disability because they had one diagnosis and after their diagnosis was changed still get disability...

you see here in america we have a new standard of diagnosing mental disorders with the publication of the new DSM 5 (the diagnostic manual treatment providers here in america go by in diagnosing mental disorders now) because of the new standards many peoples diagnosis's had to change because with the new diagnostic's they either met the new criteria for something they did not meet in the past or they no longer meet the diagnostic criteria due to new standards.

for example someone in the past may have fit the diagnosis for DID but now because the criteria says to consider other better fitting diagnosis their DID diagnosis may get changed to PTSD (because PTSD now carries dissociative symptoms in that diagnosis)or osdd (other specified Dissociative disorder) because they dont lose time or as severe memory problems when they switch into their alters.

the new diagnostics dont mean a person is any more less disabled then before, it just means we have a new standard for diagnosing mental disorders now.
my suggestion is talk with your treatment providers. it may be that you no longer fit the old diagnosis due to the DSM 5 changes. and that like the DSM 5 criteria states this new diagnosis better fits, and that you are not any more or less disabled then you were before the new diagnosis was placed in the files....

if you still do not agree with the new diagnosis after talking with your treatment providers you can request a referral for the longer more thorough diagnostic process called a psychiatric evaluation. thats where you go through a whole battery of physical mental and academic testing that can diagnose what your actual /accurate diagnosis's are according to the new standards.

I made an appointment with the GP with my previous, most recent diagnosis codes in hand from my pdoc and T, whom I have been with 11 and 4 years respectively. We had in interesting conversation. I just asked him how he came up with the diagnosis in that we never even discussed my MH or history during the visit, only the meds I was on. It turned out he assumed from a particular med that I was taking that diagnosis that he put and actually apologized for assuming. It was a mistake on his part that he corrected right there in his office rectifying the record.

I was surprised that 1. he admited the mistake, and 2. that he was willing to correct it. He even resent it to the insurance so that it would be accurate too. I appreciated this. He then proceeded to ask me about how I was doing, which considered to be a nice gesture on his part, that despite what happened if I need anything he is willing to help, and later, he thanked me for bringing this to his attention.

So not only did this go surprisingly well and was appreciated, I also so much appreciated your support in this. I have a fear of authority figures, like physicians (to me at least), so to talk to him about this was no easy task. Thank you for your support, help, and insights in to the system.

I hope this finds you well and take good care meanwhile.

That's great it worked out so well for you. Congratulations for standing up for yourself. Great job!

Dear Fresia,

HUGS and more hugs to you!
I know those phone calls are scary and sometimes they meet with resistance and then you feel worse.
Congratulations and good health,
H
Tell others it just may give them the courage they need.

Miss Angelou will surely be missed as she inspired so many with her words.