Question:
Medical Records from no longer living Dr.

I have two Dr.s that I have seen in the past for weight loss. One Dr. died a few years ago. I have some prescription statements for diet pills and water pills. The other Dr. was sued by Medicare. He filed false claims. You know the reputable types of Dr.s that will prescribe diet pills to anyone. Cash up front type deal. How do I get my medical records?    — D. K. (posted on September 17, 2003)

September 17, 2003
If it was more than 7 years ago, your records have more than likely been destroyed. Doctors only have to keep them for 7-10 years. The doctor that died....you may want to contact the medical society where his practice was, they may know who is managing the records now, or did he have a partner...if so they would be in charge of those records until they could be destroyed. The same for the "crooked" doctor....I hope this helps some!!!! Good luck to you!!!
   — jennap

September 18, 2003
Actually, doctors and hospitals are required to keep records indefinitely. They can never be destroyed. They may be put on microfilm or scanned and then destroyed, but the essence of the documents must remain. You can check with the hospital(s) those doctors were on staff with to see if they know who has the care of his files. There are services for just this sort of thing, and sometimes a hospital will take them over. You can also check with the state licensing board (especially in the case of the crooked doc) to see if they know anything.
   — bethybb

September 18, 2003
one of my former doctors had all of their records siezed by the F.B.I. I had no idea how to get them...I just told the surgeons office what diets I was on with that doc...and why I had no records. Ins. approval in one week no prob. Your pharmacy would probably have all the med records though.
   — hooterzgirl75

November 28, 2003
Doctors do NOT have to keep records indefinetly. Each state medical board mandates how long to keep records--which is usually no longer than 10 years after your last visit. (we would need a separate country to store records if they were kept indefinetly!) The state medical board will have information on the demise of the practice. You can sometimes get a statement that shows that your records are no longer available.
   — Danyelle K.