I need to know how to go about getting my medical records. Dr. just passed away. I live in KY. Anyone know?

Question

I've been told that I don't have to be given my whole file, just the last 2 yrs. I would like all records to take to another Dr. Anyone know the laws on this?

Answer 1

Just write or CALL his office and tell them your sending in a written letter, signed and dated, asking for your medical records. It might be smart to take it by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public and have it Notarized also. Then mail it to your Doctors office and wait for your records. After a week, call and make sure they received your paperwork and signed release (which you may have to go by his office for!). This worked for me when my doctor retired and I received 6 years worth of papers to pass on to my next doctor.

Its always a trauma to lose someone who's helped you over the years, sometimes you feel betrayed yet happy they get a break, you just wish that your life was not going to have to suffer. This is why its important to get your papers and pass them on, so your next doctor won't have to play "guess" and can see your past medical work done.

Answer 2

I'm a RN in Oklahoma and have had some experience with this. Write a letter to your previous physician's office requesting a complete copy of your medical chart, include dates of period of time covered if known, state in your letter that you are giving your permission/consent for Dr. F Jones' medical practice to copy your personal medical chart at your request and that you will be responsible for all copying expenses including postage costs, provide your complete postal address where the copies are to be sent, and close with an empathic statement regarding the physician's death. Also include your phone number so that they can reach you if they have any questions. (The going rate for medical copying for patients is $1 for the first page, $.50 for each additional page plus postage.) This is just to give you a ballpark figure of costs. Send your letter requesting delivery confirmation and before sealing the envelope, xerox a copy of your letter for yourself. I don't predict that you will have any problems with your request due to the circumstances but occasionally medical offices will only send requested medical records to an attorney or to another physician. If that happens just go with the flow and have your records sent to your new physician. You might follow up with a phone call if you have not heard anything for 2-3 weeks. You'll need to be patient as likely many others are requesting their records too. Hopefully this information will assist you. Good luck to you and God bless.

Answer 3

You need to contact the office manager. Actually, she should be sending out letters to the Dr.'s patients advising what to do. I also suggest that you have your new physician request the records to save you some money. Normally, Dr.'s can get medical records sent to them without payment. It is Dr. to Dr. courtesy. In most states there is a statute that allows for the records to be copied.

Answer 4

The hospital or clinic will not give up their file (for legal reasons).
It should be possible for either you, or the doctor you have now to request a copy of important papers. But getting a copy of the whole chart might not be possible (if it is a big chart), there might be costs to get full copies.

HIPPA requires that you must be allowed to review the chart, but it does not require the office to make copies for you, nor to give up their copy.

Answer 5

Yes, HIPAA laws require the MD to give you all records if requested. They might charge you due to copying costs such as toner and paper, but they are required to give you all your records if requested. The office where the MD was at the time of his death should still have them. The MD isn't required to ok the release.

Answer 6

Next of kin should have them