Question:
my records were thrown away from 1994-1997 and have no proof of med. weight loss.

I have just found out for sure that my records were destroyed because they changed offices and the records were old i only have about 4 months doctor supervised weight loss and records that my weight has been morbidly obese since atleast 1996,that doctor will give me a letter of recomendation but he says he wants to see me again this tues. first so he can write the letter and the dr. I go to now is also going to write a letter 4 me also have records and letter from ob/gy do u think this is enough? please help me with your advise +I have wrote down all of the diets i have been on. I have bcbs/fl/ppo/blue choice. thank you in advance kelliann sanchez    — Kelliann S. (posted on August 29, 2002)

August 29, 2002
You might want to speak with an attorney on this one. I can see throwing away records after many many years but after such a short amount of time - well this just sounds fishy to me. Most doctors have all documentation backed up either on computer disks that are held offsite or on microfiche. I'd look into it before settling for that answer. I can betcha money that a little phone call from an attorney would help the doctor's staff find those records in an instant. Good luck.
   — Vicki H.

August 29, 2002
I agree with the previous poster,I wouldn't let this go.A persons records can mean a matter of life and death to that person or even a family member.I bet if you even made a phone call to the Administration office of that clinic,and mentioned that you will be contacting a lawyer,your records would show up.If for some reason they did destroy them either by accident or out of stupidity,I would recommend them writing a letter of apology to your insurance company that because of their mistake you can't prove your medical necessity to have this surgery.It might even work in your advantage,it's worth a try.I'm just shocked at the whole thing,I know because of working in a medical records dept for the last 13 yrs that we are basically sopose to guard those records as if they were are own.Mistakes do happen,but you shouldn't have to pay for their mistake!!! Feel free to email me if you have any other questions,and I really do wish you luck!!!
   — kim M.

August 29, 2002
I can tell you from experience that records turn up missing all the time. I have contacted numerous offices and you wouldn't believe some of the stories I have been told. Hence I tell all of our patients to keep a copy of your own records. Starting right now, get yourself a notebook with dividers and keep track of labs, ekgs echos stress', op reports, xrays and a misc section for all meds you have taken and any incidental items of interest. You are the best historian of what your medical history has been. Sit down and write your won history as best as you can remember. Try to date your diet history as best as possible. This is acceptable. I know because that is what I did. You should see my husbands and mine notebooks now. When we walk into the doctor's office, we hand them the best tool that they can have for treating us and they love it. Threatening with an attorney will get you absolutely nowhere. Trust me!
   — Sue A.

August 30, 2002
I've posted on this before. You need to check your state to find out when your doctor is allowed to destroy your records. If he destroyed them early, you might not be able to do much about it. Threats from an attorney will get you nowhere! You should see what I go through as a paralegal requesting records with releases and with subpoenas --- same place you are!!! In fact, still waiting on some today I requested 30 days ago. You should contact your insurance company and explain your problem and see if you can provide them with an affidavit of those diet efforts. An attorney should be able to help you out with an affidavit or you can look on a legal website for the form --- pretty easy to do. I had to do one for some diet effort I had in 1986 and of course, those records were destroyed.
   — Nell C.

September 2, 2002
Kelliann, if your insurance carrier paid for your diet pills/suppliments or your doctor's visits even... you'll be able to possibly get the information from them. Your doctor had to code the bills that he submitted so that will be something you'll be able to use.. even if your no longer covered by that insurance carrier... Try them it might be still listed in their databases.
   — lindajenkins