Question:
Help with past medical records information (read on)?

Six years ago I had a Humana Health Care Plan through my employer. I had been seen at the same clinic for almost 15 years, many times. I was seen by a Rheumatology specialist for a short period and then I had to end up going on short term disability because of my health. I never returned to work, therefore forfeiting all of my heath benefits. I went for several years with no health insurance after that. Approx. 2 years ago I applied for a medicaid plan. I have only used this insurance 2 times and they were both emergency walk in's at a clinic, one being for severe pain in my back. I am now going to see my PCP for the first time (under this insurance) to get a referral and hopefully a letter. However, my medical records are so scattered, she will not have a copy of any of them. I have called Humana to see what my options are about getting my medical records and they told me that anything that old would be in the warehouse, and IF they even had them, I would be able to come in and view them. She has not called me back yet to let me know they have them for sure. I don't even remember the name of the Rheumatology specialist that I seen but his name would be in those records since I was referred to him. If I am able to go in and view these records, I would be able to document my own history, but I know it would be better for me to have my current PCP write up some of my past health history. (This would be an enormous file to be faxed over to her) Otherwise I have no proof showing medical necessity, only my word. I have not yet called the walk in clinic regarding my back problems. To sum this up, I have medical records in three different places, none being my PCP I have an appointment with. And even if somehow I was able to get these records to her, how would she be able to review that many records and get an accurate evaluation of my past medical history?    — kymogram (posted on April 6, 2003)

April 5, 2003
Don't get discouraged I had no insurance for years and was diagnosied with morbid obsesity thru an emeregency room doctor while I was having an asthma attack. I had kasier when I was a teen and had weight problems then too. So we just sent for everything no mader what date. The pcp will sort it out based on comman allimates thru the years and he or she should be sending you to have tests done to prove you reallly need the surgery. I saw cardiac specialist , gi specialist, pulomanary doctor and they did an ultrasound of my abdomen. and an upper endoscopy where they found a hernia. You should write up a past medical history yourself based upon all the problems you have had and really get back up documents on everything or those problems from the past are like a ghost ship.
   — sheri B.

April 5, 2003
I just received insurance approval. I did request back to nine years of my med records. Evey specialist I have gone to I gave them copies. Some said they really didn't need this much info. My insurance said they only wanted as far back as two years the most current. I was forunate that I did not have to pay for copies of these records. Well, I take that back. The doc offices that asked for payment of copied records I decided I really didn't need them anyway. They wanted to charge me a $25.00 processing fee and $1.00 per copy. No way!! I think your ER visits will help. Try to get your former clinic to go back to the last year you were seen there. You may have to be persistant with them. The people who work in medical records don't like to have to rumage through boxes. But hey! Sometimes that is part of their job. Keep bugging them. I had to do that with a couple of my former docs. Best wishes for a speedy insurance approval!
   — babrewer