Medical record transfer Q?

[rubytue]

Silly question. If I call office A and ask to have my records sent to office B, does the doctor know that I've done that or does the staff just take care of it?

Yes. I'm a wuss and don't what to actually talk to the dr about why I'm changing.

[sa]

Everytime I've done this, I've had to sign a medical release form and fax it over to the old office.

I've never had to speak to the doctor about the change. I just spoke to the staff and they took care of it for me.

[rubytue]

Oooh... even better.

I typically cart around my own file. And I was able to get some of what I needed, but the one office didn't send everything I was expecting. My test results weren't even in there! Just the doctor's notes. *grumble*

[rosebudred]

Nov 26, 2012 18:36:19 GMT -5 sa said:

Everytime I've done this, I've had to sign a medical release form and fax it over to the old office.

I've never had to speak to the doctor about the change. I just spoke to the staff and they took care of it for me.

This.

I'm no expert, but this is what happened when I changed docs this year (moved) and new doc explained that I had to do the requesting - they couldn't do it on my behalf due to HIPAA regs. Called old doc, spoke with medical records staff, they emailed me the release form, I faxed it to them, and they sent my records to the new doc.

So no- I didn't speak with my old doc and have I explain the change or anything. Though in my case old doc was a small town practice, so I'm sure old doc got word of the change.

[rosebudred]

Nov 26, 2012 18:38:00 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Oooh... even better.

I typically cart around my own file. And I was able to get some of what I needed, but the one office didn't send everything I was expecting. My test results weren't even in there! Just the doctor's notes. *grumble*

Also, the release form for my old doc asked me to specify what parts of my records I wanted sent (ie shot records, test results, etc). Maybe them not sending everything was just a miscommunication? Totally annoying to have to ask again though.

Seems smart to have a copy of your own file though- good idea!

[rubytue]

Nov 26, 2012 20:27:51 GMT -5 rosebudred said:

Seems smart to have a copy of your own file though- good idea!

Habit I developed years ago. Helps when you bounce around between oncology, nuerology, opthamology, ENT, etc. And move in the middle. Its a PIA to get everything transferred. But this is the first time I've done it without a copy of everything and bc I don't like the doctor or trust my treatment plan. And I'm feeling rather passive aggressive about it lol

[niki]

Nov 26, 2012 18:38:00 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Oooh... even better.

I typically cart around my own file. And I was able to get some of what I needed, but the one office didn't send everything I was expecting. My test results weren't even in there! Just the doctor's notes. *grumble*

They did what they were supposed to do. They probably did not have permission to release the results of tests done out of their office. You have to get those from the place who did the test.

Also, at the small office I once worked at, the doctor was lazy about dictating his notes, so I would need to ask him to dictate the visits when someone wanted to change doctors, so he did know when someone left.

[rubytue]

Nov 26, 2012 22:08:51 GMT -5 niki said:

Nov 26, 2012 18:38:00 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Oooh... even better.

I typically cart around my own file. And I was able to get some of what I needed, but the one office didn't send everything I was expecting. My test results weren't even in there! Just the doctor's notes. *grumble*

They did what they were supposed to do. They probably did not have permission to release the results of tests done out of their office. You have to get those from the place who did the test.

Except I already have half the reports bc they gave then to me. It's the follow up MRIs I'm missing. Although I do have the CDs of the images. Just missing the 2 actual reports. And every other time I've done this that hasn't been the case. Perhaps it's new, but last time I asked for records I got a 3" stack of everything they had. A full copy of the chart.

Another annoyance. The e-records website lists all my tests and has a button to click to view the report. And it's blank when you click it. I could save a lot of time and effort if I could just click there, print, and do it myself. Perhaps someday.

Ah well. I'll get on the phone this morning and call the 4 offices and have everything transferee. Just a PIA since I thought the one had and would send everything.