Question:
FED UP .........CHANGING SURGEON

After waiting for so long for mydoctor to give me a surgery date I am just about fed up so I recently called my surgeon's office to asked them to fax over all of my medical records to my new surgeon who inform me that she can probably perform my operation sooner. When I asked his secretary that I need them to do this right away, she said she had to talk to the doctor( the first surgeon) and see if he would give me a surgery date. What is this, I don't understand. I feel after all of this waiting I just want to change surgeon. Do this mean that they are refusing to let go of my records (if so what do I do) or does this mean that they don't want to lose me as a patient,so they will hold my records hostage?. My new surgeon tell me that I have to get these records or I will have to have all these test redone.....I'm afraid to call each and every doctor who perform the test, they were slow reporting them the first time....HELP    — blank first name B. (posted on July 17, 2001)

July 17, 2001
Hi Deborah, Personally I would change surgeons. I don't play those kind of games. Only because you threaten to leave then you get a date. Sorry, just my opinion. Anyway, they can't hold your records hostage. You do need to go sign medical release forms and make sure all records are transferred. However, they have 30 days which to do this.Sometimes there's a fee but from what I understand when the records are sent directly to another Dr. then usually you don't pay.(at least I never have). I know it can be as hefty as $1 per page. You are covering the cost of paper and the employee's time.(yeah,right). Sometimes you can sign papers at the new surgeons office and they will fax or mail the release with your signature to the old surgeon. Best wishes and hang in there. I'd definetly stay with the new surgeon and if the other one asks why then tell him. There may be a problem within the office he's not aware of. Best of luck!
   — Linda M.

July 17, 2001
I have not heard anything specifically bad about this surgeon or his talents but in the last month or so I have read many complaints about him here. complaints like not returning phone calls. he cancelled 1 patients surgery by email!!!! i have also heard that his staff is very rude and he has no aftercare at all.
   — [Anonymous]

July 18, 2001
If the office refuses to release your records, call the regional office of the state Department of Health in your area. This falls under the scope of patient bill of rights and the state should light a fire under him. Best of luck.
   — Sue T.

July 18, 2001
Each state has a specific period of time in which the records must be released, in VA it is 15 days. Send a written request for the records and if they are not released you can always call the state licensing board. This is a very serious and drastic step that you should consider carefully before you take. Most doctors take licensing requests very seriously.
   — Shannon S.