https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 01:21:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/access-to-your-own-health-records#post-262405 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:26:06 +0000 mrs. bird 262405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@April_Showers: aww ! Thanks for looking that up for me! You're so sweet :)</p> <p>@Grace: Yea, I get that they'd want to go over the results with you when you first get them so they can help you understand the results, but these are from a couple months ago and all I got from her was- you haven't gone through menopause. Yea, I'm 28, I'd hope not! Haha. So if there was anything remarkable, I would expect that she would have mentioned it then. </p> <p>@highwire: I love how your dr has yours online! Very cool!</p> <p>@Modern Daisy: So frustrating! I've had that happen too, that's why I prefer to just bring my own copy if I can. </p> <p>@runsyellowlites: I probably would have gone in and had a stink, but luckily they were forwarded to my PC DR so I called them and they printed them out for me so I can pick them up on my way to the other appt this afternoon. Thanks for everyone's thoughts! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/access-to-your-own-health-records#post-262324 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:33:45 +0000 runsyellowlites 262324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I worked at the oncologists office here we never regarded the doctors permission to send records, all that was needed was a signed release. And we occasionally charged the patient for copies (some had multiple charts full),</p> <p>I myself would find it really fishy to be denied my records from my doctors office for any given period of time. I'm big on having my own records, sadly I've known doctors to chart/dictate things thay were never done or said. :(</p> <p>Maybe go up there &amp; request them in person? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/access-to-your-own-health-records#post-262311 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:23:10 +0000 Modern Daisy 262311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I'm also annoyed because I signed a release form two weeks ago and still haven't gotten my records! I'm starting to think I need to switch Doctors just because they are so horrible to deal with. It's impossible to get anyone on the phone, they NEVER call with test results and they refuse to email anything. The only way I could get my records is to fax in (who has a fax machine??) or come in and sign a release form and wait out the 7 day waiting period. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/access-to-your-own-health-records#post-262302 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:19:43 +0000 DillonLion 262302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's probably just specific protocol. Most offices I've dealt with want to send records directly from their office to the other doctor's office, as opposed to just handing you a slip of paper. </p> <p>My current OB posts everything online on their secure site (their opinions on the results and the actual test results themselves), so I can access anytime I want and print at my leisure. I love it. But this is the first office that has been this way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/access-to-your-own-health-records#post-262301 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:19:22 +0000 Grace 262301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have heard of this happening before. I think some doctors are worried that you'll run off to google and freak yourself out if you had the actual test result numbers. Having said that, I think knowledge is power and you should be able to get your test results. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/access-to-your-own-health-records#post-262292 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:16:28 +0000 April_Showers 262292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That seems strange to me. I think legally they have to give you a copy of your records any time you ask for them. You may try going in person today, but I definately don't think its up to the doctor to give you your records.</p> <p>I pulled this off privacyrights.org for you</p> <p> 6. How do I get access to my own medical records?</p> <p>HIPAA requires health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouse to allow you access to your medical records. Notices you receive from providers and plans must include information about how you can obtain copies of your medical records.</p> <p>HIPAA allows health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses to impose reasonable, cost-based fees to obtain copies of your medical records. The fee may include only the cost of copying (including supplies and labor) and postage, if the patient requests that the copy be mailed. If the patient has agreed to receive a summary or explanation of his or her protected health information, the entity may also charge a fee for preparation of the summary or explanation. The fee may not include costs associated with searching for and retrieving the requested information. <a href="http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/faq/right_to_access_medical_records/353.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/faq/right_to_access_medical_records/353.html</a>.</p> <p>In addition to HIPAA, about half the states have laws that allow patients or their designated representatives to access medical records. The HHS publication on Personal Representatives discusses access by personal representatives. </p> <p>If you receive care in a federal medical facility, you have a right to obtain your records under the federal Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC sec. 552a)</p> <p>We advise that you make your request in writing. See the PRC Sample Letter to Request Medical Records. If you are denied access, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Office of Civil Rights. (Contact information is provided at the end of this guide). Your state's medical privacy law might also enable you to file a complaint with state regulators.</p> <p>HTH </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/access-to-your-own-health-records#post-262254 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:03:27 +0000 mrs. bird 262254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just called my dr's office because I wanted a print out of my labs they ran last time I was there to bring to an appointment later today, but the office is refusing to let me have them until they ask the dr and they say they won't get back to me until Monday with her decision. Aren't they my records?? I paid for them to be done, they've already called me with results, if they wanted a processing fee for printing them I wouldn't mind paying it, I signed the release for them to be shared with my other drs, so why the weirdness about me wanting them? What if I just wanted a copy to have for my own records? </p> <p>Thoughts? Advice? Does that seem weird? </p>