I requested my Dr. mail me my medical records. The office sent me a consent form to sign & are asking me to pay $50.00 for handling copying and mailing fees. I believe per the new HIPAA guidelines that these records are mine. Why should I pay a fee?
2006-10-25 16:50:26 · 12 answers · asked by beachbumsfive 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
While the information in the medical record technically belongs to the patient, the physical records themselves are the property of the place that generated them (e.g., doctor's office, clinic, hospital, etc.). Under current law, reasonable fees can be charged for copies of information requested from medical records. HIPAA does not override any stricter state laws that may exist governing access to medical records; HIPAA also states that providers are allowed to charge a reasonable fee for copies of medical records to cover the costs involved. (Costs to the provider, such as supplies, time, and labor.)
2006-10-25 17:35:38 · answer #1 · answered by medrecgal1973 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the records belong to the doctor. To avoid paying the fee, when you go to a new doctor sign a release there and the records will be sent to the new doctor. usually without a fee. You are paying for the persons time who copies them, the paper, the mailing fee. Hipaa gives you privacy not entitlement to those records
2006-10-26 06:13:49 · answer #2 · answered by bramblerock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never has a problem getting my medical records sent to my new doctor or for a referral type situation. Never cost me anything. You are entitled to your records and I have never heard of having to pay for them. Paper work is irrelevant since you pay the doctor and what ever expenses he incurs by having you as a patient. To me that means you already paid for them when you paid your Dr for the visit. I don't know what that office is trying to pull on you. If you live close enough...go down to his office and make a scene...I guarantee you will get your records free of charge. If they are being faxed to you...of course you could pay the fax fee...beyond that...send them a stamped envelope .
That's ridiculous and I would call someone. You State rep or something along those lines. Seems like extortion to me and they get away with it simply because people actually pay it.
I say its bull and you shouldn't have to pay a dime! Also...in this day and age...i see no reason why they couldn't just email it to you. Again I say...BULL S H I T!
2006-10-25 17:05:41 · answer #3 · answered by Steph 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
while these records do have your name on them, they are the property of the physician. I work in a physician's office and we charge per page fees. However, if you have another medical office request them, it's usually free.
that's the practice in my area anyhow. you have to consider the time and supplies that go into copying a chart. it's no small job!!
2006-10-25 16:58:16 · answer #4 · answered by kelli s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The office has the right to ask for the fee. They took time to ask the questions and record them and to file them. Their paper, ink, storage and labor are worth something.
$50 is a fair price.
2006-10-25 16:54:39 · answer #5 · answered by debbie2243 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are yours, but unless you are requesting that the records be transferred to a new doctor, a per page fee is usually applied.
2006-10-25 23:14:11 · answer #6 · answered by JOHN M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They belong to the doctor. You may have a copy, and pay for the time of the employee to do that, as well as supplies, etc. Doctors need to refer to these documents sometimes years later, so should have them. He can be sued 10 yrs later over something stupid, would'nt the lawyers love it if he said what chart!
2006-10-25 17:10:23 · answer #7 · answered by biggdogglildoggs 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can charge it. There is no "legal" anything that says they MUST submit it to insurance. In fact, I am willing to bet that the reason why they don't submit it is that that is not part of their provider agreement as a reimbursable expense. However, there is no law that prevents ANY business from charging you for supply usage. If you don't like it...find another doctor.
2016-05-22 14:41:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Up here in Canada apparently they aren't your property. They are you records, but the doctors property, therefore you can be charged to get them back, which is just silly in my mind, but that is the logic they used
2006-10-25 16:59:08 · answer #9 · answered by aprilandroland 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THATS BS, BEING A NURSE I KNOW YOU ARE ENTITLED TO YOUR RECORDS AND IF THEY DON'T WANT TO PUT A STAMP ON THEM GO PICK THEM UP YOURSELF...IF YOU NEED THEM FOR ANOTHER DR. THE DR. CAN REQUEST THEM AND THEY WON'T CHARGE HIM OR HER A RED CENT...THIS QUESTION REALLY PISSED ME OFFFFFFF. THE MEDICAL FIELD IS NOW A BUSINESS INSTEAD OF A COMPASSIONATE ONTAKING...I AS A NURSE APOLOJIZE TO YOU
2006-10-25 16:56:06 · answer #10 · answered by chameleon5657 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋