Question:
Have any of you tried to get medical records from previous doctors ...
to be told you have to pay for them? My previous PCP wants $25 for the first 25 pages and then .25 for each page after that! That's alot of money for a copy of MY medical records. — Lily C. (posted on June 2, 2002)
June 1, 2002
Most doctors offices charge for medical records. It's because they have to
take the time copying them and mailing them out - plus for the persons time
who's actually doing the copying and mailing. It's not unusual.
— Patty H.
June 2, 2002
In most, if not all states there are laws governing medical records and
release of information. I don't know what state you are in, but here in
California there is the Medical Board of Calif. located in Sacramento.
There is a web site for them and probably is a web site for your states'
Board on the net also. In Calif. most physicans, as a courtesy, send
copies of records at no charge to another physican, but they can also
charge for them if they want. But if you want the copies for other reasons
they can also charge for them. The law states in Calif that they can
charge a reasonable fee for the clerical expense in locating the records to
copy or for the patient to view, and can charge 25 cents a copy or 50 cents
a copy if they have to go to microfilm. Check your states laws and file a
complaint if your doctor's office is in violation.
— Vickie S.
June 2, 2002
I work in medical records,and i'm sure that all places are different.We
never used to charge the person for their own medical records,only if
lawyers or insurance companies were requesting them for you.Only this year
did we start to charge,after finding out that we were the only ones not
charging.We only charge the person after the first 100 pages,and then its
10 cents a page.That money is used towards the cost of our paper.I thaught
this was also very unfair,until I had to copy a chart that took me 4 hours
and 4 packs of paper,then it made more sence.Just a suggestion,sometimes
its better for you to have the insurance company request your records,they
will know exactly what they are looking for and may not need as much
copied.They will be billed,not you(in most cases)some will send you the
bill,others won't.I hope this helped alittle bit ......good luck and take
care.
— kim M.
June 2, 2002
Hey that sounds like kasier hospitals fee's I payed the same amount for my
records and got them in 2 weeks. The reason why we have to pay is because
the originals belong to the hospital and they have to charge you a fee for
coping and fee for someone to go through the dates you order.
— sheri B.
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