Hey Jyes,

I did a quick search and found nothing in the legislation for the state of NJ preventing you from getting your medical records. I would think that it is a reasonable expectation to be able to recieve copies of your reports and records, so that you would be able to make an informed decision regarding your course of treatment.

I've been in quite a few disagreements with medical office staff over my medical records before. I not only make my request verbally, but I also fax over a generic request form, so that there is a written record of my request. The way I look at it is, they're going to release the to my WC carrier, why the he** can't they release it to me?! I've had to pay nominal fee's per page, but it's worth it to me so that I can figure out which direction my care should take and what questions I need to have when I meet with the physican.

Go get em! Give em he**, and don't take "no" for an answer.

Theresa

Thanks all for the replies, still makes me wonder why there seems to be the general consensus amongst all the Doctor offices AND the Medical Imaging Facilities that only the referring Doctor is allowed to give the report to the patient.

I am sure that has not come out of the clear blue sky. I know the first I time I heard of it was when I asked my family MD for a copy of an EMG/NCV test, that I knew he had a copy of in my records and I was told then about the performing or referring Doctor was only authorized in that case and he retired! I finally tracked down that report at a new office with a Doctor who took over his business.

I rarely have been charged, I believe my Cervical MRI and Myelogram from 2002 I was charged a $10 search fee and $1 per page, which I accepted with no qualms since they were almost 4 year old reports.

I will post on Monday what transpires between myself and the office administrator when I ask for a copy of the MRI report...

Jyes

Jyes, i read quickly through your post,and right off the top pf my head, I can tell you those nurses, etc are full of it - I never had any problem getting my MRI, labs, or any other reports from my GP, even if they were ordered by other docs. And I've never paid acent for them, ANYWHERE! When I was going thru the 'motions' for my lawsuit, I got copies of everything - and so did my attorney. By the time my lawsuit was settled, my attorney had a full carrogated file box and a half of records!

I hope you are more successful in the future!

Jacquie

Jyes, I too have always asked for copies of all my reports and usually don't have a problem, once in awhile I'll have to sign papers for it and stating why I want them, but that's just about it.

Only once did I have to get a copy of my whole record cause I was moving, and then only then did I have to pay for it.

But I too was under the understanding that one has the right to their own medical records.

DaisyMae

My local imaging facility automaticly gives its patients copies of ALL work done there. You get a copy of the film on the spot and a copy of the report in the mail. Often, it does not arrive until after your appt. with the referring doc so I opt to go back the next day for the radiology report so I have an idea of what I am dealing with and can formulate my questions before seeing the doc. Best wishes.

I do want to say, I have always gotten my reports, but the Imaging Center says only from the Referring Doctor, and my family Doctor says only from the Referring Doctor, and my PM Doctor has said only from the referring Doctor, so something is up!

I am going to call the Imaging Center this morning and ask for my report and see what answer I get, and if they say no, I will want the explanation plain and clear.
Oh, I called the NS office yesterday morning as instructed last Thursday when I requested the report and even though it is over a week now, the lady said no report or film is in their office yet!

First the lady told my I got the wrong extension that I needed to talk to the Medical Records section, I told her that is who I talked to on Thursday and they told me to call XXXX(YOU) on Monday morning at this extension! She said OH, took my name, asked what day my appointment was for and said she would check to see if the film and report is there for the Oct 3rd appointment files... Whatever that means.

She said nothing has arrived yet and that she would call me back when the report arrives.

Somehow I get the feeling no phone call will come.....

Jyes

I just talked to the Imaging Center and they said no problem getting the report, so off I go.........
Now, I really wish I knew what their true policy is. Why I am told at the time of the testing that I cannot get a copy of the report, and now I can, but at least within the hour I will have it regardless...............
Oh, I have asked many times before about getting a copy from them and it has always been as I stated before, they will give me the film to take to the Doctor but not the report.......



Jyes

Any report I have ever wanted I could get, if I seen my family Dr and told him. He could put in a request and get it, then I just went to his office and got it. It was that simple.
Fancylady

These are available on the internet and people should be reading them. Be prepared, the staff in the Dr's and Surgeons office try to treat you like a mushroom. When they answer you back with an unacceptable answer start quoting these laws, I guarantee that the majority of those employees have not even been counseld or trained on policy (or even make an effort unless directed by their supv).

I agree with the advice you were given. The facility where the XRAYS, MRI, CT, Myelogram, etc, will give you a copy, but not before the doctor has acknowledged that he received it. They have no way to know if you discussed it with the Doc yet, only that the Doc received it. The facility that I had my tests done, told me that this is standard practice. I don't see jack before the Doc counsels me. Then he suggest what he wants to do, I go and get the report look it over, get on the net and research it further. Then I am better educated for the next appointment regarding the issue.

I also agree that they almost never tell you everything that is found to be a flaw, something that may distress you, or otherwise need further action. That is very common. Look out for yourself. This is all routine for doctors and surgeons, but not the patient. I hate to keep putting myself into your thread, but I too was also not told about a disk protrusion in another area that I complained about, I had to ask the Doc myself what was up with it and did the MRI show anything. I got "Oh yeah, since you ask, you also have a disk in the ___area that is protruding" Jeez..I understand your frustration. There should be a law that after whatever test(s) are done, that upon initial counseling that the patient is also given the test results by the Doc who is actually counseling the patient.