You can ask for a copy of your records. they might charge you...Or you find a new doctor and fill out paperwork and the new doc office requests copies from your old doctor.

Every time you get bloodwork done or a test, get a copy of it. Also if you have had catscans etc at hosp go by the hosp and they will give you a copy also, its free. You already paid for them, so they belong to you.

Get your records as you go for the future, but for now, ask his office. Few doctors in my experience pay attention to what happens to the paperwork. You're asking for a copy of all your medical records. It's your right, and no one needs to know why. Just say you want a copy "in case". (And when your doc's office is damaged in a flood, for instance, as happened to me once, your records are safe!)

As Leo said, doctors don't pay attention to who asks for what paperwork. It's the office staff who do the copies, so it is relatively easy! Good luck on a new dr! I have just switched, and it is a relief!

Well, that's weird...why can't you just ask your dr. for them?? It's your right to change ur Dr.

By law they have to give you a copy of your records, except in the case of mental health, not sure why that is. Most charge a hefty fee if they have to copy paper records or a minimal fee to provide a DVD

I think that's a state law, SB. Here in Florida, all my doctors always refused to let me see my records. I was told that if I want to know about something in them, I have to make an appointment and ask the doctor to give me the info verbally. Even then, I was told, the doctor has the option of refusing to tell me.

They won't let me see the results of my medical tests here either. Again, I'm told it's up to the doctor how much I should know. At one doctor's office, they even threw out all my medical records because I didn't follow all his orders and come in often enough.

In the past forty years of living here in Southwest Florida, I've never seen ANY of my medical records. I think regulations vary widely from state to state.

Thanks...did you see all my awful spelling? Lack of sleep! I just want to avoid talking to my doctor..we did not see eye to eye as I went thru the process of trying to figure out what was wrong with me. So the less contact the better...I'm going to try and find a Rheum. Dr. Thanks for the tips!!!

That is absolutely NOT a state law - it's federal and it's called HIPAA (yes two AAs not two PPs).

HIPAA requires your medical records to be provided to you or to anyone you request they be provided to. They are in violation of federal law if they do otherwise. The only exception to that, as skinnybinny said, is mental health reasons, and even then a doctor has to go on record as stating that it would cause injury to you to see your records because of your mental health - which is a stretch in all but the most serious cases.

I spent the last 13 years not only living with that law but training mental health professionals who had to work with it.

You will need to sign a paper asking for your records. It isn't like the old days that you could just make a phone call. However, you can go to a new doctor and they can request the copies once you sign a form telling your old doctor to release them to the new doctor.

I don't think there is a way around not letting your doctor know you want your records, however, you are entitled to all of them. You can always just say you would like a second opinion if you are concerned that your doc will get upset. It's very important to have a doc that believes in Fibro. I was blessed with a doc that does believe in it, partly because his mother has it. I hope this all works out for you. Hugs GB

I can look at my chart any time I want. Its your info and you have the right to see it. You don't have to tell them why you want copies of your chart but if you go to another doc and sign a release you shouldn't be charged whereas if you request them yourself your doc office then can charge a fee.

I always get my records for anything I have done you never know when you might need it. You will have to sign a release of medical records it protects you. The doctor probably will not even know that you have asked. You could be charged for them but if you have the new doctor ask no charge. If you get them make sure you make copies for you own records.