Fuming...
- Thread starter tobagotwo
- Start date
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
S
Shine_on_Syd
copies of tests
copies of tests
i'm a pretty easy going guy but whenit came to aortic valve surgery I took no prisoners and demanded all test copies and studied them. I don't think your information about NJ law is correct. Medical records are YOUR property. Plus the federal law HIPAA says that you have access to all your medical records.
copies of tests
i'm a pretty easy going guy but whenit came to aortic valve surgery I took no prisoners and demanded all test copies and studied them. I don't think your information about NJ law is correct. Medical records are YOUR property. Plus the federal law HIPAA says that you have access to all your medical records.
S
Shine_on_Syd
Here is the HIPAA LAW on medical records
Here is the HIPAA LAW on medical records
Straight from the United States Department of Health and Human services
Fact Sheet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 14, 2003
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
PROTECTING THE PRIVACY OF PATIENTS' HEALTH INFORMATION
Overview: The first-ever federal privacy standards to protect patients' medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers took effect on April 14, 2003. Developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), these new standards provide patients with access to their medical records and more control over how their personal health information is used and disclosed. They represent a uniform, federal floor of privacy protections for consumers across the country. State laws providing additional protections to consumers are not affected by this new rule.
Congress called on HHS to issue patient privacy protections as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA included provisions designed to encourage electronic transactions and also required new safeguards to protect the security and confidentiality of health information. The final regulation covers health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers who conduct certain financial and administrative transactions (e.g., enrollment, billing and eligibility verification) electronically. Most health insurers, pharmacies, doctors and other health care providers were required to comply with these federal standards beginning April 14, 2003. As provided by Congress, certain small health plans have an additional year to comply. HHS has conducted extensive outreach and provided guidance and technical assistant to these providers and businesses to make it as easy as possible for them to implement the new privacy protections. These efforts include answers to hundreds of common questions about the rule, as well as explanations and descriptions about key elements of the rule. These materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa.
PATIENT PROTECTIONS
The new privacy regulations ensure a national floor of privacy protections for patients by limiting the ways that health plans, pharmacies, hospitals and other covered entities can use patients' personal medical information. The regulations protect medical records and other individually identifiable health information, whether it is on paper, in computers or communicated orally. Key provisions of these new standards include:
Access To Medical Records. Patients generally should be able to see and obtain copies of their medical records and request corrections if they identify errors and mistakes. Health plans, doctors, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other covered entities generally should provide access these records within 30 days and may charge patients for the cost of copying and sending the records.
http://www.hhs.gov/news/facts/privacy.html
Here is the HIPAA LAW on medical records
Straight from the United States Department of Health and Human services
Fact Sheet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 14, 2003
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
PROTECTING THE PRIVACY OF PATIENTS' HEALTH INFORMATION
Overview: The first-ever federal privacy standards to protect patients' medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers took effect on April 14, 2003. Developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), these new standards provide patients with access to their medical records and more control over how their personal health information is used and disclosed. They represent a uniform, federal floor of privacy protections for consumers across the country. State laws providing additional protections to consumers are not affected by this new rule.
Congress called on HHS to issue patient privacy protections as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA included provisions designed to encourage electronic transactions and also required new safeguards to protect the security and confidentiality of health information. The final regulation covers health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers who conduct certain financial and administrative transactions (e.g., enrollment, billing and eligibility verification) electronically. Most health insurers, pharmacies, doctors and other health care providers were required to comply with these federal standards beginning April 14, 2003. As provided by Congress, certain small health plans have an additional year to comply. HHS has conducted extensive outreach and provided guidance and technical assistant to these providers and businesses to make it as easy as possible for them to implement the new privacy protections. These efforts include answers to hundreds of common questions about the rule, as well as explanations and descriptions about key elements of the rule. These materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa.
PATIENT PROTECTIONS
The new privacy regulations ensure a national floor of privacy protections for patients by limiting the ways that health plans, pharmacies, hospitals and other covered entities can use patients' personal medical information. The regulations protect medical records and other individually identifiable health information, whether it is on paper, in computers or communicated orally. Key provisions of these new standards include:
Access To Medical Records. Patients generally should be able to see and obtain copies of their medical records and request corrections if they identify errors and mistakes. Health plans, doctors, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other covered entities generally should provide access these records within 30 days and may charge patients for the cost of copying and sending the records.
http://www.hhs.gov/news/facts/privacy.html
Thanks, Syd. That amplifies Ross's information. It's probably why the tech was willing to cooperate in making the copies.
My slip was in thinking that the original cardiologist might not share everything with me, but would not actually misrepresent test outcomes. It is plain now that he would. He apparently did not want my attention diverted away from the AVR surgery to these tests, and felt justified in not revealing their outcomes accurately.
Worse, when my new cardio asked, I parroted back to him that the test results were OK. So now, my new cardiologist probably feels that I am misrepresenting my history to him. He may not trust me to relay my symptoms appropriately.
I feel like I have to explain what happened, but I don't like the idea of ratting out his associate to him. That may create a more negative than positive effect.
My slip was in thinking that the original cardiologist might not share everything with me, but would not actually misrepresent test outcomes. It is plain now that he would. He apparently did not want my attention diverted away from the AVR surgery to these tests, and felt justified in not revealing their outcomes accurately.
Worse, when my new cardio asked, I parroted back to him that the test results were OK. So now, my new cardiologist probably feels that I am misrepresenting my history to him. He may not trust me to relay my symptoms appropriately.
I feel like I have to explain what happened, but I don't like the idea of ratting out his associate to him. That may create a more negative than positive effect.
Yes, Bryan. It's true. I have failed to achieve the full mediocrity of his expectations. I...*choke*...I am...unworthy...*sob*
Nancy
Well-known member
You probably could say something like, "I just found out that the information I gave you originally was incorrect, and I would like to share my new findings with you." Then tell him your real history. You don't have to say anything about the other guy. If your doctor reads between the lines, he'll "get it". But I have found that having an honest history is infinitely more important than assessing blame. It's in the past now. The other guy is "old history".
Well, that's kind of tough, because I found out the information was incorrect from the new guy, so he already knows it.
However, your approach has a much better sound to it, and I'm going to use it as a basis for whatever I do wind up saying to him.
Thank you,
However, your approach has a much better sound to it, and I'm going to use it as a basis for whatever I do wind up saying to him.
Thank you,
Debrinha GT
Well-known member
your rights
your rights
Hello everybody, I was quite surprised when I read some of the posts here because I thought that since most of you know so much about your whole situation, that also meant that you had access to absolutaly everything. Here in Brazil this sort of thing depends a lot on the health plan you have.Whenever I go to any doctor at all, I always get a copy fo my exams automatically but every time I've had to go into hospital, I was told that everything stays with them whether the treatment was through my health plan or the public health service. You see, a couple of months ago I phoned my former cardio who has now bee retired for a few years to talk to her about the early years when I first got sick and wanted some detailed information about it. She said she wouldn't tell me much because she firmly believes a patient might get his condition worsened if he or she starts worrying about it . I then asked if the hospital in São Paulo would send me a report on my first two surgeries and she said no way. Since she's become a friend of the family I didn't want to argue with her. I have the report on my last operation though.
your rights
Hello everybody, I was quite surprised when I read some of the posts here because I thought that since most of you know so much about your whole situation, that also meant that you had access to absolutaly everything. Here in Brazil this sort of thing depends a lot on the health plan you have.Whenever I go to any doctor at all, I always get a copy fo my exams automatically but every time I've had to go into hospital, I was told that everything stays with them whether the treatment was through my health plan or the public health service. You see, a couple of months ago I phoned my former cardio who has now bee retired for a few years to talk to her about the early years when I first got sick and wanted some detailed information about it. She said she wouldn't tell me much because she firmly believes a patient might get his condition worsened if he or she starts worrying about it . I then asked if the hospital in São Paulo would send me a report on my first two surgeries and she said no way. Since she's become a friend of the family I didn't want to argue with her. I have the report on my last operation though.
Nancy
Well-known member
Today, I had an outright refusal to provide copies of some test results (my own) which I had requested. The reason given was that this is a long standing policy of this particular clinic, and when I mentioned that the law gave me the right to have access and copies of these records, it was met with deaf ears and GIANT obfuscation and a fair amount of huffiness. I was fuming and expressed my views rather strongly. I have been requesting these results for a week and the parties in question ended up ducking my phone calls. I really don't appreciate being "blown off".
I think we have a huge learning curve in some facilities. They are operating with very old rules.
However, they are "Johnny on the Spot" when YOU have to sign all kinds of forms to their benefit.
I will be taking this up with the NY State Dept. of Health. Maybe they can help educate recalcitrant facilities.
I think we have a huge learning curve in some facilities. They are operating with very old rules.
However, they are "Johnny on the Spot" when YOU have to sign all kinds of forms to their benefit.
I will be taking this up with the NY State Dept. of Health. Maybe they can help educate recalcitrant facilities.
H
Harpoon
note to self: Stay on Nancy's GOOD side...
Go get 'em!!!!
Go get 'em!!!!
Nancy
Well-known member
Everything's copacetic until someone doesn't want to do their job, especially in the healthcare field. Too much is at stake.
Could also be my Irish ancestors stirring in their graves.
Could also be my Irish ancestors stirring in their graves.
Ross
Well-known member
Nancy I wish I had an easy answer. When I was obtaining mine for my disability case, I had paid for and went to pick them up. When I got there, the lady kept refusing to turn them over to me and said she'd mail them to my attorney. I told her to call my attorney! She did, he said release them, and she still wouldn't budge. I asked to use the phone and called the police. Once she saw that I was going to make a Federal issue out of it, she backed off, but not one moment before that. Now they don't give me any flack whatsoever since Hipaa came into play.
They are so wrong in not cooperating with you. Maybe you should get Bill to give them a call.
P.S. Hi Bill, don't you like how I casually volunteer you for things?
They are so wrong in not cooperating with you. Maybe you should get Bill to give them a call.
P.S. Hi Bill, don't you like how I casually volunteer you for things?
Nancy
Well-known member
Nothing wrong with my own mouth.
Ross
Well-known member
I had a real hard time paying for something and then being told NO! That didn't go over very well with me. To this day I cannot believe the audacity of that lady.
Nancy
Well-known member
In looking over the Fact Sheet, I see there is a section for Complaints to the Government. Hm-m-m. Ver-r-r-y interesting.
My cardiologist's technicians didn't have the files copied when I got there on Friday, but have called me since to let me know that they are now done, and I can pick them up at their lab when I get my Holter monitor on Monday.
Nancy: Maybe the appropriate section of HIPAA printed out and highlighted would have the desired effect.
Harpoon: I don't think I'll bother to copy the whole HIPAA act to carry around with me to all these doctors. Instead, I'm just going to bring a picture of The Angry and Righteous Nancy, and say, "Don't make her come down here and talk to you." I think it will save a lot of time and argument...
Nancy: Maybe the appropriate section of HIPAA printed out and highlighted would have the desired effect.
Harpoon: I don't think I'll bother to copy the whole HIPAA act to carry around with me to all these doctors. Instead, I'm just going to bring a picture of The Angry and Righteous Nancy, and say, "Don't make her come down here and talk to you." I think it will save a lot of time and argument...
A
Abbanabba
KICK ASS, NANCY!!!
A : )
A : )
T
ticktock
I have found that if I ask my Doctor directly, I get immediate cooperation. I leave with reports the same day as my visit. They even copied my 90 day pacemaker/defib history sheet that is about 3 feet long. Now, if I could only understand it all............
On the other hand, I once had records subpoenaed (looked it up in spell check) from a hospital. It was my last heart surgery. I found it quite interesting that there is NO mention of the incident report or repercussions from my receiving a medication error, that was nearly deadly. It DID include everything else, all OTHER nurses notes, operative report, history, tests, meds, etc. So what about THAT?
mindy
On the other hand, I once had records subpoenaed (looked it up in spell check) from a hospital. It was my last heart surgery. I found it quite interesting that there is NO mention of the incident report or repercussions from my receiving a medication error, that was nearly deadly. It DID include everything else, all OTHER nurses notes, operative report, history, tests, meds, etc. So what about THAT?
mindy
Yeah, well, doctors are human after all I guess, eh, Mindy? And Temptation smote them, when the error of their ways was revealed...
I did receive all my reports, including the operation report. Fascinatingly, though I've had several EKGs in the office, not one is in the copies. So much for finding out about my inverted T wave. It is described nowhere. I'll mention that next visit. That will be Monday - when they *choke* send me back *sob* to work...
I did receive all my reports, including the operation report. Fascinatingly, though I've had several EKGs in the office, not one is in the copies. So much for finding out about my inverted T wave. It is described nowhere. I'll mention that next visit. That will be Monday - when they *choke* send me back *sob* to work...
S
spillo
Nancy - Tell the clinic you need a copy of your reports and a hippa form. If they do not have a hippa form they are illegally doing business. Let them know this. Call the AMA and report them. You will soon have your medical reports in hand.
Tobogotwo - Sign a hippa form when you first arrive anywhere. A facility can copy your entire medical report, as the cleveland clinic did for me. It goes back to my birth. If you have all your old doctors send a copy of their file to the hospital you had an avr at, that hospital will have your entire file and will copy it for you. Whenever I get anything major done, or a diagnostic test or bloodwork I send a copy to CCF. That way I can always get a copy of everything, up-to-date.
Spillo
Tobogotwo - Sign a hippa form when you first arrive anywhere. A facility can copy your entire medical report, as the cleveland clinic did for me. It goes back to my birth. If you have all your old doctors send a copy of their file to the hospital you had an avr at, that hospital will have your entire file and will copy it for you. Whenever I get anything major done, or a diagnostic test or bloodwork I send a copy to CCF. That way I can always get a copy of everything, up-to-date.
Spillo
