Hi everyone..

Red: I am sure that my file is huge ! I did offer to pay a reasonable fee.. and she didn't answer me back...

Phoebe: I thought we were allowed to veiw them also.

Dawn.. Thank you for researching that for me..

OC girl: Yes they did put both of my arms over my head, I told the tech that my right arm in the overhead position creates the narrowing, but she said she knew what she was doing..The last one in July 06, I only put my right arm overhead...

Stardust.. I am hopefully going to get answer sometime this week, The Doc that ordered it is on vaca till after the 4th..

Withmore.. Ya know, I feel like they are hiding something. When I went in to sign the release about 3 weeks ago, The Doc says to me "Oh, are you still taking Robaxin ?(while looking at my records) I said Doc, I haven't been on Robaxin for 1 year ! I looked at the bottom of the folder and he had meds written down that I was still on that were from a year ago ! Right there I thought something might be up... Nice updating on my charts ! Now I can't wait to see what I get ! Thanks for the info.. it helps to know that other people have gone thru this to.

Jo: Like I said to Withmore.. I do suspect something.. The Doc has never believed that TOS exists anyway.. I've had to battle with him to sign Disability papers and he even went as far as to say that I didn't need to be on disability because I could still work.. I think it is time to search for a new PCP. Thank for the info.

Alison.. I ALWAYS welcome your opinion along with everyone else's ! I knew I would get the advice needed from all of my friend's here !

I have decided that if I don't see anything at by the end of this week, I may have to call one more time and let them know that my Attorney will be calling next. I did sign a release form about 3 weeks ago personally in his office , so they can't say that I didn't because I did get a copy of the release I signed (smart thinking eh ??). I know that I am dealing with TOS it's being able to find a Doc that will also know about it and how to treat it ! Thank you..

Flippin out: That's how I feel now, that they are hiding something or nothing... Billing wise, I am on State insurance now.. ( Of course everyone in Mass HAS to have coverage by July 1.. NO MATTER WHAT... !)Luckily that State pays for all my medical needs.. so far... Thank You for the info...

Thank You to everyone ! I am so lucky to be able to be a part of this forum and have great friend's... I will keep you all posted...

I have noe idea about the MRA, but I was always under the impression that we were open to our medical records and that if we wanted a copy that a resasonable fee for copying them for us to obtain them.... please let us know how you make out with your plight!

Mark~n~Goober

The laws regarding your access to your own medical records varies by state. In my state, it is at the discretion of the physician, but in most cases granted. If the records are sent to another physician, they are usually free. If they are sent to the patient, there is usually a fee for the copies. Copies are usually made by independant medical record firms and they go to various doctors offices to perform the service. Some local docs do not want the patient to see their own records and offer to forward them to another physician on your behalf but will not send them directly to the patient.

I *always* have trouble getting my medical records. It is to the point where i ask for their form at the beginning before I even see the doctor. What has worked for me is trying to talk with someone else in the organization. I was able to find a really friendly "patient concierge" I think she was called and she would mail me forms and send things to doctors all the time for me. ANYONE ELSE in the office was rude and unwilling to do anything.

It took my about a year to get an MRI film from one place. I finally resorted to having a friend call for me and he actually ended up talking to some low level intern or something that did it without question. Everyone else was mad about it.

It is so odd really. It is almost like they think you are betraying them by seeing someone else. Excuse me, but if you actually HELPED me, then maybe I wouldn't have to go to the next moron, who will be as equally unhelpful. haha

When I encountered an office that was not handing over my daughter's records, despite phone calls in advance AND written request (they gave me a folder with about 3 pieces of paper in it. Her file, however, was 1/2 inch thick!), I stood there in the waiting room and very loudly asked, "I have requested a copy of my daughter's records, ARE YOU DENYING TO COMPLY?" They gave me a run-around answer, again. I stood my ground and again, loud enough for everyone in the office to hear, "I REQUESTED, IN WRITING, A COMPLETE COPY OF MY DAUGHTER'S MEDICAL RECORDS, ARE YOU DENYING TO COMPLY?" and the office manager came running out of her office and took care of it with a very worried look on her face.

They cannot deny you your records. Can NOT. They can charge you for them, they can make you wait to get them, up to a month is usually the limit (under the guise of having time to get the copies made), but they cannot legally deny you your records. ALL of your records, not just what the doctor decides to share.

To places that say, "The doctor has to approve this" or "the doctor has to look through to tell us what to give you", the answer is "No. I have requested ALL of my records, and I am legally entitled to ALL of my records. Every last page." If they continue to fuss, then you hit them with "If I do not receive ALL of my records, as legally requested and as legally entitled, I will file a complaint with the state regulatory board as well as discuss this with my attorney. Now, I have requested a copy of ALL of my records, ARE YOU REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUEST?"

You don't have to yell, or get angry, you just stand there firm, immovable, confident and controlled, no nonsense-don't mess with me attitude. Because you ARE right, and you ARE entitled to your records, without trouble, argument, delay, or fuss. Period. Usually that works, as most places get the message that they are in for trouble if they don't hop to it. Otherwise, filing a complaint with the state is free.

I have also always gotten myself a copy, for free rather than pay their fees, by telling them, I am requesting a copy for myself so I can make further copies and distribute them to whatever doctors I end up going to, without bothering you again. If you give them to me, I won't ask you to send them out over and over again as I search for the answer I need. (And if you don't, I will have to keep sending you requests and you will keep having to make copies and pay to ship them out....). Has always worked.

Any testing you had done--from x-rays to MRI's, etc, you can usually call the test place directly and get copies of not only the reports, but the scans as well. Don't have to go through the doctors for those, and these places don't care at all what you're asking for or where you'll be sending it, so they usually comply quickly and easily, no problem.