Question:
Has anyone had to pay to get their medical records?
I have asked for 2 copies of my medical records- One for a surgeon I will not be able to see until after the first of the year and one for a new surgeon that I can see within 3 weeks (not sure if I will feel comfortable with this guy.)My records only date back about 6-7 years and are not that thick(I think.)I am an active duty dependent as was told that my records were goverment property and I will have to pay to get them copied twice. Is this normal of civilian doctors? I mean to charge for copies. Maybe I am over reacting-but the lady was very rude- citing military lingo for the reasons-blah blah blah. I will however pay whatever the price it to get my records-just wondering if anyone else had to do this!! Thanks — Jan S. (posted on October 23, 2002)
October 23, 2002
yes, I was charged by one of my doctor's office, but the 4 others that I
got records from didn't charge. It all depends on the policies of the
office. I do know that sometimes as a courtesy they will copy and send your
records to a doctor, but many times when you say you want the copy for your
records they get an attitude and charge you for making the copies. And the
cost can either be a flat rate or charge per page, again depending on
policy. I know it ticked me off too! Hope this helps. :)
— Tammy O.
October 23, 2002
I had to pay to get my medical records also. They charged .25 per page, a
grand toatl of $17.25. What didn't make since to me was my surgeon was
right at that clinic.
I guess since I wanted them so I could highlight and make notes for
insurance that's the reason I had to pay.
— Lynda T.
October 23, 2002
My daughter had hernia surgery and they operated on the wrong side of her
body! When I went to get her records, they had the NERVE to charge me $1.00
per page!! Needless to say, the lawyer has now sent for them, no charge
now....imagine that! I have gone to other Dr. Offices and not been
charged though, I think every place is different.
— Maria S.
October 23, 2002
I wrote to another state for older medical records. The doctor's office
quoted me a flat fee of $25.00. I had gone to this doctor for 15 years, ao
I expected quite a hefty file in return, Imagine my surprise when all I
received was about 10 pages!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 23, 2002
this is a very normal practice, some docs do it for free, but hospitals, as
well as clinics almost all charge. I would suggest getting your record
coppied once, then doing the second copy at a local copy center, it is sure
to be cheaper.
— Vicki L.
October 23, 2002
Yes, I was charged $14.00 by my local clinic to get 3 lousy sheets of
paper. I couldn't believe it! I realized they not only sock it to you
when you go to the doc for treatment but also for copy's. If I could have
gotten away with going to the office and writing it all down with a pen and
paper I would have. LOL! Somehow I don't think the insurance company would
have gone for my chickenscratch though. Can you tell I am a penny pincher?
Best of luck to you!
— Laurel C.
October 23, 2002
I had to pay my PCP for copies of my medical records. $30.00. I made a
copy for myself, and have that in my stuff at home now. If you can have a
copy for yourself, do that. I think also some medical office people are
rude just because they can be. Good Luck to you!
— Cara F.
October 23, 2002
I work in a medical records department of a hospital and every hospital I
know of charges patients for medical records unless they are sent directly
to another physician office for continuation of care. Most places around
here charge a flat $5.00 base fee and $1.00 per page copied. The person
who posted earlier that she had her attorney get her records and she wasn't
charged should ask her attorney. We get requests from attorneys all the
time and they pay just like everyone else, then pass the cost along to
their clients. Most just don't tell their client! My suggestion is
telling the facility to give you copies of anything the doctor dictated,
copies of lab reports, and copies of radiology reports. Most of the other
stuff like nurses notes and etc you won't be able to read anyway, unless
they have better handwriting than most medical professionals! Good Luck!
— Carolyn I.
October 23, 2002
Health Midwest did not charge me a dime...they sent copies to me, & my
surgeon.
— MF
October 23, 2002
This isn't uncommon. I paid $25.00 to have records FAXed from a former
clinic where I was enrolled in a Fen-Phen program. Be sure to follow up
with the surgeons to make sure they receive your entire records from the
doctors they have requested. My surgeon's office called me to inform me
that the "Fen-Phen's" office had FAXed them exactly ONE page of
information---vs. the entire file which I paid for!! On the other hand, my
PCP's office FAXed a huge file at no charge to me whatsoever. At any rate,
GOOD LUCK to you if you are just starting the process. It can be
frustrating, but you will get through it!
— asumamma1
October 23, 2002
If I had them sent to another doc - no charge. If wanted to carry them
out, it was 20 bucks.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 23, 2002
Contrary to a previous poster's opinion, I work as a paralegal to an
attorney and we always tell our clients there are costs associated with
their cases. One of those costs is the cost of obtaining their medical
records. Very few doctors/hospitals do not charge for copies of medical
records. However, each state's statute governs how much they can charge
for them. In Virginia, they can charge a $10 search fee plus 50 cents per
page up to 50 pages and 25 cents per page after that plus postage. In some
instances (hospitals in particular)hire outside copy services to do their
copy work. This is a big expense and, understandibly, forward that expense
on to their patients when copies are made.
— Vicki R.
October 23, 2002
I also had to pay for some of my records. Seems kinda crazy, but if we
need them, we need them. I am surprised that the government makes you pay.
You are serving our country. Bureaucracy I guess! Best of luck to you,
Kim
— Kimberly T.
October 23, 2002
Yes. It is normal to pay for records, there is usually a flat fee for
retrieval and then a per page fee. ALSO since you were military, make sure
your records were not destroyed. There was a large fire in the St. Louis
records center (holds records for all over the country) a number of years
ago and many, many records were destroyed.
— Ellen M.
October 24, 2002
I work in a physician's office and if you are requesting your records you
will pay for them. However , if you get your PCP to request your records
from other physicians. You won't have to pay each physician. You will just
pay your PCP for all the records. Doctors don't have to pay other doctors
for records.
— Kimmie C.
October 24, 2002
My PCM told me to check out my records and make copies myself. I am a
military brat and my records go back to birth. It would cost a LOT of
money for me to have them coppied. I am going to check them out and see if
I have to leave them with wls or if they can just copy the pages they need.
I don't think they need to know every cold.
— KRISTIE A.
October 24, 2002
Yes, that is normal practice. I learned a long time ago to keep my
government property record. I keep a copy of all my medical records and
tests because I have been a part of class action suit for about 9 years. I
don't think you can beat the government charging. But if I have tests at
another hospital or specialist, I just automatically ask for a copy to be
sent to my primary care physician which they will do for free and then he
makes copies for me. Most doctors or hospitals will not charge to send a
copy to another doctor.
— Elizabeth K.
October 24, 2002
Hi Jan...I too was shocked to hear that I had to pay for my records. I just
spoke with the nurse yesterday and she informed me there was a $40.00
retrieval fee and $2.00 per page. I've been seeing this DR for 12 years and
have had surgery twice with her and I'm sure my file is very thick lol
They don't charge anything to send them to another Dr but they do charge to
send them to the patient.
— meltedbuttr
Click Here to Return