Get a Copy of Your Medical Records
The federal government passed a law that governs the privacy of medical records and applies to the portability of a patient's health insurance in spite of pre-existing conditions. HIPAA has become law in many states as well. HIPAA entitles you to obtain a copy of your medical records and to dispute anything in the record by making a statement that will be included along with your doctor's rebuttal.
Instructions
1. Make a list of all the health care providers that you have. Write down the types of information that each of them have for you. Include tests, x-rays and other medical procedures that they have performed on you in the past. This listing will aid you in requesting a copy of all the information in your medical files.
2. Contact each and every one of the doctors on your list and ask what they require to release a copy of your medical files. If they require a special form, ask them to FAX or mail you a copy of the form. Double check that they will send all the records expected--test results, x-rays and other procedures.
3. Fill out all the forms that you receive from the doctors and return them by mail or in person if possible. Ask when the records will be ready and if there is any cost associated with them. Often the copies may be free, but the copies of x-rays and other tests may be more to cover the expense of making the duplicates.
4. Expect the copies of your medical file and test results to be easily obtainable. If the doctor gives you any resistance to release the file, remind them of the HIPAA act that allows you to obtain a copy and to view all of the items in your file.
Tags: x-rays other, your medical, copy your medical, medical files, medical records, obtain copy