Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
I've already written about how my doc died and had no partner and I started a new pain clinic. They're going to put me in the hospital on suboxone after taking me off morphine I've been on for 14 years.
Today I went for my refill and asked the front desk for a copy of the chart that my old doctor's office had sent. She gave me attitude right away, saying she could lose her job for giving me my own chart! I told her ALL I wanted, because my doc is DEAD and this PC is the only one to have my chart, is the medical file that I approved to be sent to them. I had 14 years on morphine before this clinic and I want to get a 2nd opinion b/c it works. I have a LIFE b/c of the morphine. And in 14 years I've never increased the dose. So I wanted my chart and she didn't ask why, just said no.
I was shocked. She didn't even have a reason! She just said no, she could get fired and I didn't NEED my chart. So I asked to speak to someone else. She flounced off, came back with 7 pages of paper and threw them across the desk. She told me that I ONLY got them b/c they could find NO LEGAL REASON NOT to give them to me. WHAT????
I asked WHY it was only 7 pages and BTW, I told her I didn't have to have it right away, that I'd wait. But she was furious! She said that ALL the PC got was 7 pages! Okay, MAYBE, but if so, I'm shocked that they're making this new plan based on only 7 pages worth of my record.
Now why did she insist she could NOT do it, then claim she'd lose her job, and finally say that the only reason I got them was b/c she couldn't find a law against it?
Okay, so this PC is pretty bad. But to tell me that I wasn't entitled to my chart when I knew i was, it was nerve wracking! And I had to bring up a lawyer to get her to go back and check. By that time I was pretty angry, myself and I don't GET angry like that. But I knew that I had the right, and I had no idea they'd fight it. She wasn't a nurse or medical person, just a desk clerk, and she was SO full of anger just for me to MENTION it. She even tried to tell me that THEY didn't have my chart! Her story changed from minute to minute.
Why would they care if I saw my chart from a doctor who is dead?
Now, if I could only find a way to get the rest of it. Oy. It's been one crappy day all around and that lady made me so angry...I just wonder where the rest of it is. And now I'm even more upset about their choice of treatment knowing they based it on so little info!
Do medical records go by state? I mean, is it harder to get them in some states? She even said that the reason I couldn't get it is b/c my former pain med was a Psychiatrist! Yes, he was, but he specialized in pain management and didn't practice psychiatry any more. She had a reason for everything and I think she knew it wasn't worth me having to get our attorney involved but I was willing to.
What a day. What do "normal" people do for fun? ;)
Today I went for my refill and asked the front desk for a copy of the chart that my old doctor's office had sent. She gave me attitude right away, saying she could lose her job for giving me my own chart! I told her ALL I wanted, because my doc is DEAD and this PC is the only one to have my chart, is the medical file that I approved to be sent to them. I had 14 years on morphine before this clinic and I want to get a 2nd opinion b/c it works. I have a LIFE b/c of the morphine. And in 14 years I've never increased the dose. So I wanted my chart and she didn't ask why, just said no.
I was shocked. She didn't even have a reason! She just said no, she could get fired and I didn't NEED my chart. So I asked to speak to someone else. She flounced off, came back with 7 pages of paper and threw them across the desk. She told me that I ONLY got them b/c they could find NO LEGAL REASON NOT to give them to me. WHAT????
I asked WHY it was only 7 pages and BTW, I told her I didn't have to have it right away, that I'd wait. But she was furious! She said that ALL the PC got was 7 pages! Okay, MAYBE, but if so, I'm shocked that they're making this new plan based on only 7 pages worth of my record.
Now why did she insist she could NOT do it, then claim she'd lose her job, and finally say that the only reason I got them was b/c she couldn't find a law against it?
Okay, so this PC is pretty bad. But to tell me that I wasn't entitled to my chart when I knew i was, it was nerve wracking! And I had to bring up a lawyer to get her to go back and check. By that time I was pretty angry, myself and I don't GET angry like that. But I knew that I had the right, and I had no idea they'd fight it. She wasn't a nurse or medical person, just a desk clerk, and she was SO full of anger just for me to MENTION it. She even tried to tell me that THEY didn't have my chart! Her story changed from minute to minute.
Why would they care if I saw my chart from a doctor who is dead?
Now, if I could only find a way to get the rest of it. Oy. It's been one crappy day all around and that lady made me so angry...I just wonder where the rest of it is. And now I'm even more upset about their choice of treatment knowing they based it on so little info!
Do medical records go by state? I mean, is it harder to get them in some states? She even said that the reason I couldn't get it is b/c my former pain med was a Psychiatrist! Yes, he was, but he specialized in pain management and didn't practice psychiatry any more. She had a reason for everything and I think she knew it wasn't worth me having to get our attorney involved but I was willing to.
What a day. What do "normal" people do for fun? ;)
that is wrong!
Generally you are entitled to a copy of your own records even though mosts doctors would prefer that they be sent to another doctor instead of be given to you.
They have a right to charge even you for copying those records and they can make you wait a reasonable amount of time to make those copies.
As far as how long they have to keep them...generally they only have to keep an adults records for 7 years from the time of treatment and a childs records until they are 21 years of age. So if you haven't been to your doctor in a while and think there is important info there get a copy of old records because they have the right to purge them.
It's a good idea to keep a copy of all of your medical records. I get copies of all of my test results and copies of all of my doctors notes each month. It makes it easier with the insurance companies and if I ever need to look back I have it all in a big loose leaf binder with a section for each doctor. Plus they usually don't charge me since I'm asking the girl at the front desk.
Take care,
Mail them a certified letter requesting your records. Attach to the letter a completed medical release of information filled out and signed by you. These form templates can be found by doing a search online for a medical release of information form. Choose one from your state.
Then call your attorney. He'll tell you how long that office has to comply. The proper "keeper" of your records will send them. You may have just talked to someone that will soon lose their job.
I have and keep copies of all my records. This saves time when you need to go to specialists.
Good Luck!
I am so sorry you are going through this.