Hellobee Boards

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.

I pulled this off privacyrights.org for you

6. How do I get access to my own medical records?

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.

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. http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/faq/right_to_access_medical_records/353.html.

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.

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)

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.

HTH

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.

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.

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),

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.

Maybe go up there & request them in person?