2007-06-21 14:44:21 · 6 answers · asked by cmebDUCKs 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
They gave (well they charged me) me a piece of paper saying what the results were but would not give me copies of the actual ultrasound.
How do I push them.
2007-06-21 14:56:51 · update #1
Actually he can ...the actual films are legal property of the clinic , hospital or facility taht performed the exam . What you are billed for is the service and the reading of the ultrasound. The report , NOT the hardcopy images are then considered YOUR medical record per HIPPA , and when requesting med records , the report io only is sent....lest it is suppeonead . In the event that your ultrasound was done in office setting , chances are the images were printed on a long strip of thermal paper , as such there is no way to reproduce them , or give you copies . This is the odwnside of in office imaging . Often times there is no way to reproduce the hardcopy.
If you had the exam done at a hospital or at an imaging facility , you should be able to pay a fee and have copies of the films released to you . The originals however belong to the facility , and stay in a permanent hard copy file . This is so if there is ever litigation or a problem , even far into in the future , all hardcopies can be supplied to the necessary parties involved in the action . Also , if a study was charged , there needs to be proof of said study in the patients permanent record in the event of an internal audit , insurence audit , or even federal audit of the facilities imaging and billing practices . An entire imaging department can be shut down if things dont add up . The hard copies are legal ,physical proof that said study was performed .
Its for your saftey as well , in the event you bring action for malpractice as it insures that your representation will have all records , as well as for facility protection , as it would be able to be reviewd by defending representitives as well.
I know it's not what you wanted to here , but it is the honest truth , and I sincerely hope this helps you better understand your situation .
Good luck :-)
Ej
2007-06-22 11:54:57 · answer #1 · answered by Ej G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under the federal HIPPA law. You have the right to your medical records anytime you want. The doctor is well within his right to charge a fee if he/she so chooses to do so.
2007-06-21 15:11:59 · answer #2 · answered by J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. He can charge a fee, but he can't refuse to release the records to you.
2007-06-21 14:51:33 · answer #3 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not legal. By law you should have access to any and all medical or other records pertaining to you.
2007-06-21 14:55:55 · answer #4 · answered by bgsexy73 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope.
but he can charge you for the copies
2007-06-21 15:13:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they're your medical records.
2007-06-21 14:51:56 · answer #6 · answered by craftgirl03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋