Anybody else's doctors refusing to provide copies of test results?

[KarenK]

They are MY test results, am I not entitled to them? Has this become a way that they try to protect themselves from legal issues?

I ask and they make various excuses. Then when I try the hospital’s medical records department, they say it’ll take up to 5 weeks to receive them. They never arrive, then the excuses start up again. I had to put up quite a fuss to get my latest echo results. How do I stop this? Every doctor I see except my internist is doing this.

How can you be proactive about your health this way? I’d be dead right now if I had blindly followed some of the things doctors said in the past.

 

[pellicle]

They are MY test results, am I not entitled to them? Has this become a way that they try to protect themselves from legal issues?

I can't speak to your legal entitlements (and suggest actual legal advice in your State) but in Australia you are and even if you don't go back to the Dr they will be available to you on the Federal goverment portal 7 days after sending to the Dr (unless you specifically request they are not sent there for god only knows what tinfoilhatconspiracymadness reason you choose to instruct the lab not to).

So yes, in Australia they are your entitlement, but we aren't free and don't have rights.

Based on this and your other post it may be time to seek another opinion?

 

[Chuck C]

You absolutely have the right to your own medical records.

Check with your state about the patient's bill of rights. I'm in California and I'll post a link below with the patient's rights and procedure to file a complaint. I would check with your local state government, as they likely have a procedure to file a complaint as well. If you contact their office and mention that you will be filling a complaint with the state unless they hand them over promtly, I expect you will probably get some attention.

Your Medical Records Rights​

• To get a copy of your records (you may be charged for the copying).
• To add your own notes to your records.

https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/healthcareincalifornia/yourhealthcarerights.aspx

 

[Protimenow]

I'm in California, and I have the legal right to get my results. My lab makes me wait for five days before I can have access to them. A few years ago, there was no law that made it mandatory that your records be made available to you.

My recent lab results were sent to my doctor before they were available to me.

My PCP would call me with my results, but bill insurance for an office visit.

I was okay with waiting and not sticking Medicare with an unnecessary bill.

 

[Timmay]

I’m in Maryland and have access to every result … most through electronic portals. The majority of the time, I actually see and review my results prior to meeting with my doctor.

 

[Croooser]

The clinic that I go to for all of my healthcare except cardio uses the MyChart online portal as does the Cleveland Clinic where I had my heart surgery performed. Results are available to me as soon as they are available to Doctors and staff. My wife uses a different clinic and they are also on MyChart. I believe it is the standard at well run clinics today, as it allows the info to be shared easily to other providers as well as patients.

My cardiologist's clinic does not use a portal but he is very good about having a hard copy of my echo reports printed at the follow up consult.

The situation that you are describing is not the norm and is not acceptable.

A brief search indicates that UAMS Health in Fayetteville provides cardiology care and is on MyChart. I would guess that there are cardio clinics in Tulsa that have patient portals as well.

I would make a change.

 

[MdaPA]

They are MY test results, am I not entitled to them? Has this become a way that they try to protect themselves from legal issues?

Note some test results are not released until the Dr. has reviewed and signed-off on it.

Barring this, if the Dr and/or office staff still does not release to you, then I would tell them you need the results to give to another Dr. for a 2nd opinion. If they still wont give directly to you, then find a new Dr. and then have your complete file transferred to them.

In future, whenever you get a test done, ask them to provide/mail you a copy when you are having the test done.

 

[Beach77]

There's the HIPAA law: HIPAA Home

About 15 years ago I had a problem with a doctor refusing to give me a copy of a blood test. I said the word "Hipaa" and said something like the test belongs to me and the nurse came back with a copy. I knew more about the law at the time (past job). Don't quote me but HIPAA gives our health records ownership to the us, the patient. Something like that. It is frustrating at times! I ended up reporting that doctor. The sad part is it was with a top hospital, Scripps Green in San Diego. Now there are a few letters and a formal investigating report in his file. My previous job (20+) years ago, taught me, those patient reports have a huge impact for a doctor's career. That doctor taught me to take ownership of my health and not just follow what the "doctor orders".

Good luck!

 

[carolinemc]

They are MY test results, am I not entitled to them? Has this become a way that they try to protect themselves from legal issues?

I ask and they make various excuses. Then when I try the hospital’s medical records department, they say it’ll take up to 5 weeks to receive them. They never arrive, then the excuses start up again. I had to put up quite a fuss to get my latest echo results. How do I stop this? Every doctor I see except my internist is doing this.

How can you be proactive about your health this way? I’d be dead right now if I had blindly followed some of the things doctors said in the past.

You do have a right to a copy of the test results so you can ask the cardio question. And at the medical records department, show your copy of the receipt if you have to pay for the copy of the test results. If they still refuse, talk to the supervisor. it is hard with some cardio-vascular office, for the receptionists can be like in control of the information, for the doctor is not responsible for getting the results. So, it can be a hassle for those who want to see the paperwork.

 

[KarenK]

The clinic that I go to for all of my healthcare except cardio uses the MyChart online portal as does the Cleveland Clinic where I had my heart surgery performed. Results are available to me as soon as they are available to Doctors and staff. My wife uses a different clinic and they are also on MyChart. I believe it is the standard at well run clinics today, as it allows the info to be shared easily to other providers as well as patients.

My cardiologist's clinic does not use a portal but he is very good about having a hard copy of my echo reports printed at the follow up consult.

The situation that you are describing is not the norm and is not acceptable.

A brief search indicates that UAMS Health in Fayetteville provides cardiology care and is on MyChart. I would guess that there are cardio clinics in Tulsa that have patient portals as well.

I would make a change.

Croooser, thank you! I wasn't familiar with that Fayetteville location. It's new, it used to be the VA hospital. I checked out every cardiologist they listed and they are not local. They are all in Little Rock, 3 to 4 hours away. Tulsa is a little closer, about 2.5 hours. If I can't drive after surgery, I don't know how I would get there if need be. I'm on my own here, no family, besides one relative in Idaho. I hate asking friends and they're all busy working, etc. I really need someone local.

MyChart may be standard at well run clinics, but this is Arkansas, behind the times and the land of hillbillies. This little corner of the state, NW Arkansas, is nothing like the rest of the state. It gets scary south of here. I'm originally from So. California. It was like a frontier when I first moved here. Walmart's home office was the draw. Walmart started in the middle of nowhere.

 

[KarenK]

You absolutely have the right to your own medical records.

Check with your state about the patient's bill of rights. I'm in California and I'll post a link below with the patient's rights and procedure to file a complaint. I would check with your local state government, as they likely have a procedure to file a complaint as well. If you contact their office and mention that you will be filling a complaint with the state unless they hand them over promtly, I expect you will probably get some attention.

Your Medical Records Rights​

• To get a copy of your records (you may be charged for the copying).
• To add your own notes to your records.

https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/healthcareincalifornia/yourhealthcarerights.aspx

Thank you! I am definitely going to follow up on this. They are doing people wrong and doing them harm by withholding information!

I had a surprise in the mail today. Someone from the valve clinic sent me a copy of all my test results! I'm still trying to decipher things like, "hypodensity adjacent to the left distal M1 segment". This might be another cerebral aneurysm or perhaps a spot by the thalamus from a past series of TIAs?

I wasn't informed until these test result that I have aorta aneurysm and a recommendation for a biopsy on a 2.5 cm enhancing lesion in the side of my face.

 

[KarenK]

There's the HIPAA law: HIPAA Home

About 15 years ago I had a problem with a doctor refusing to give me a copy of a blood test. I said the word "Hipaa" and said something like the test belongs to me and the nurse came back with a copy. I knew more about the law at the time (past job). Don't quote me but HIPAA gives our health records ownership to the us, the patient. Something like that. It is frustrating at times! I ended up reporting that doctor. The sad part is it was with a top hospital, Scripps Green in San Diego. Now there are a few letters and a formal investigating report in his file. My previous job (20+) years ago, taught me, those patient reports have a huge impact for a doctor's career. That doctor taught me to take ownership of my health and not just follow what the "doctor orders".

Good luck!

Thank you for the link! Also, it's good to hear of your experience as I will definitely create a stink over this. It's good to know that perhaps I can have an impact in some way.

 

[Chuck C]

Thank you! I am definitely going to follow up on this. They are doing people wrong and doing them harm by withholding information!

I had a surprise in the mail today. Someone from the valve clinic sent me a copy of all my test results! I'm still trying to decipher things like, "hypodensity adjacent to the left distal M1 segment". This might be another cerebral aneurysm or perhaps a spot by the thalamus from a past series of TIAs?

I wasn't informed until these test result that I have aorta aneurysm and a recommendation for a biopsy on a 2.5 cm enhancing lesion in the side of my face.

Well, that is some improvement and I'm happy to hear that you have received some records. Sorry that I don't have any knowledge about the couple of details which you have shared. Others might. But, as a couple of us have expressed, I think it best to get to a top ranked high volume clinic, who has seen many with your specific situation. If you stay local, you may find yourself to be under someone who has never encountered your situation. You don't want to be just part of his learning curve. Get to a place which has seen it all.

Wishing you all the best and please keep us posted.

 

[oo0My_Valve0oo]

When did the world become everyone's enemy out to defy them? It has become common for people to take everything personally. There is a time and place. But that time and place is not every time and place. (Rant over).

I live in California in the USA. I have been a member of two health organizations during the past 20 years. Both have had online personal accounts for patients. With a smartphone you can do so much. It is a wonderful tech benefit of evolution. Test results are avail simultaneously to me and the hospital.

Test results are described in medical pro terms not layman terms on purpose, (technically they are left the way they have always been rather than updated with layman terminology). Most patients are not doctors. Technicians and nurses can understand the terms but they defer to doctors. I can make sense of some things and alerts are in red. Some things, for instance the word for arthritis, are recognizable in Latin. But for mere translation Google can be a helpful resource. Access to information is not equal to formal education, training, certification and experience.

All you have to do is use the old school tools (call or go to an office in person) to appreciate progress. I can interact with doctors at no charge. I don't have to make an appt to get questions answered or test results interpreted. There have been formal consultations on phone and remote live camera which I am billed for as well. Limiting trips there or the robo directory phone approach I am all for. Every page of my medical history and details of billing are available to have mailed to me including doctor's notes.

 

[sharky7]

WOW, and they thought that they would get away with doing this to you? It may or may not be HIPPA, but it a law in the USA, State or federal, not sure but doesnt matter really! This is so awful that its almost like taking a car in and paying for tests, and not having the results for the person paying, again, WOW! And if they did it to the wrong person, they also could get a huge fine, as well as a lawsuit! Depends on what your current out come is, you could talk to a lawyer, I would! talk about, not getting what ya all pay for, disgusting! And you are right, whoever said it, if ya need it for a second dr to look at it, what ya suppose to do then? ALSO, that second doctors office may know a few things to get that other office to hand over those results? worth a try if ya end up like you have dealing with those that either dont know their jobs, or flat out dont care!

 

[KarenK]

When did the world become everyone's enemy out to defy them? It has become common for people to take everything personally. There is a time and place. But that time and place is not every time and place. (Rant over).

I live in California in the USA. I have been a member of two health organizations during the past 20 years. Both have had online personal accounts for patients. With a smartphone you can do so much. It is a wonderful tech benefit of evolution. Test results are avail simultaneously to me and the hospital.

Test results are described in medical pro terms not layman terms on purpose, (technically they are left the way they have always been rather than updated with layman terminology). Most patients are not doctors. Technicians and nurses can understand the terms but they defer to doctors. I can make sense of some things and alerts are in red. Some things, for instance the word for arthritis, are recognizable in Latin. But for mere translation Google can be a helpful resource. Access to information is not equal to formal education, training, certification and experience.

All you have to do is use the old school tools (call or go to an office in person) to appreciate progress. I can interact with doctors at no charge. I don't have to make an appt to get questions answered or test results interpreted. There have been formal consultations on phone and remote live camera which I am billed for as well. Limiting trips there or the robo directory phone approach I am all for. Every page of my medical history and details of billing are available to have mailed to me including doctor's notes.

California is so advanced in many ways. I'm formerly from Southern California. I was amazed in so many ways when I moved to Arkansas. This is a backwards state. Arkansas rates 49 out of 50 states when it comes to medical care so it may continue to be difficult in my search to find a local cardiologist that I can work with.

 

[Woodcutter]

A couple clarifying (or perhaps confounding!) points for those of us in the U.S. regarding medical records . . . .

- In almost all cases, patients do not actually own their medical records. Legally, I believe it is only New Hampshire that actually spells out that the patient owns the medical records.
- Ownership is (legally) spelled out on a state by state basis. Generally, the creator of the actual record (doctor, lab, hospital, etc.) owns the record and the patient owns the information. The way that I like to think about this is that the U.S. is big on intellectual property rights . . .and those generally go to the creator (think inventor and patents). The physician often is incorporating his/her opinion into the record.
- Nationally, HIPAA gives the patient the right of access to the records. The patient can review records and obtain copies. The entity holding the records must allow access and provide copies (if requested) but can charge a fee for the copies.
- The push to electronic records (in my opinion) is greatly facilitating access and information flow in general. HIPAA also provides very explicit rules around who has access to the records.

One personal example that I am currently working through: I have had the same primary care physician for over 20 years. Like anyone on this board, I know I have a nice thick records file which I literally saw every time I visited. He recently retired at 70 and I've moved to a new doctor. The only records I have been able to get myself or have transfered (so far!) are about 20 pages that had been migrated to the electronic system! Twenty years ago it never occurred to me to always immediately obtain copies of "everything".