A local neurologist did my initial EMG/NCV studies and gave me a copy of the results as I left his office. But several months later, when the tests were re-done by a senior neurologist at the major medical complex in our region, I was told I needed to apply to get copies of ANY reports, including the physician's notes. Application was complicated and slow (couldn't be done online). I finally received an "invoice" for $44.00 -- to get a copy of my OWN medical records! Not only that, but they evidently still want to do everything through analog media, so it'll take forever to get the information back. (Surely they COULD send me a bunch of PDFs?)

Fortunately, my PCP, to whom the report had been sent, gave me a copy of the neurologist's summary, but I'd really like to have the printouts themselves, along with the results of blood tests ordered by that neurologist. (I've learned that it's a good practice to keep your own copies of test results because the agency that did them doesn't always forward them to the next specialist you want to see.)

Is this a new trend? If so, it's outrageous.