Oh - I mean the appointment I was supposed to have on June 22nd.

Also - the DOCTOR was supposed to find me a compounding pharmacy. The last time I spoke to the nurse, she asked me if I had found one yet....

HELLO???

Do I know one pharmacy from another??? Is it my responsibility to figure out who is going to fill the pills with rat poison????

GGGGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

This is maddening enough to make a Hypo Grrrrrl HYPER!!!!

Here's what you say to get your lab results:

"Under the Hippa Act of 1996, I am entitled to see my medical records and any lab results you have on file. Are you refusing to comply with that law?"

If they say they will not comply...or simply hang up - report them here:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/

And depending on where you live...you might find a compounding pharmacy here:

http://www.compoundingpharmacies.org/

Don't lose your cool quite yet...you have to get around the gate-keepers by hook or by crook. ;)

MButterfly, I hope you know how much your knowledge is appreciated on this site. You ALWAYS have the best advice, and the coolest, calmer manner and you are always quick to respond. Many thanks for being so awesome. :-)

If you use Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp, you can get your results by registering online. Good luck!

Dawnrose is right - I've had to resort to using Labcorp then argue my case with the numbers with a "new" doctor.

Shortie - thanks so much for your compliment. I wish I could say I knew all of this right out of the gate...but it was hard won, and a member here helped me out (CD). I'm just passing it on.

I DID "read them the HIPAA Riot Act" via voice mail yesterday. NO response. Then I got my insurance carrier involved and they got a hold of someone at the lab who is supposed to get this fast-tracked.

Unfortunately, it isn't Quest or Labcorp.

Haven't gotten the email yet.

I WILL NOT GIVE UP OR IN! This is disgraceful!

One of the reasons I want to re-gain my health is so that I can get up enough energy to complete my chaplaincy training. I was blessed to have served as a patient advocate many many times during my training. Prayer is not enough G!d puts us here to do G!d's work. And To All of You - your support here IS Holy Work.

Wish me luck My Warrior Queens!!!

I've had to go so far as to put it in writing. Unfortunately, it's sometimes easier just to get the *&^%%$$ labs done again than to write a long letter invoking the Hippa Riot Act in a civil tone with matter of fact language (no cuss words) and waiting 30 days for a form letter that may or may not come. (It was a VERY expensive test involving a high risk pregnancy, so, yes I had to wait...and threaten...and finally get an attorney involved to write a nasty, riot act, legal action threatening letter...10 days later, I got the test results.? How infuriating is that!?). Sometimes, the "gatekeepers" are either incompetent, uncooperative, or both.

So, if it's worth it...as a former patient advocate...you know it doesn't matter what's said...unless it's in writing.

I remember the beginning of this thyroid saga. I had "other issues" that were damning to be sure, but the "thyroid saga" was hideous on my emotions and my patience. I went from "Laura From Little House on the Prarie" to "Furiousa from MadMaxx" in 0.01 seconds! Which didn't help the "other issues" at all.

We shouldn't have to fight so very hard when we're so very ill. And, yet, that's how it is in the good ole USA.

Wishing you light, love, and Godspeed to getting your record, finding a good doctor, getting the right treatment, and not going to jail for murder. XO

(Insert smilely winky face)

Thanks Butterfly! My heart goes out to the younger you who had to brave all of this horror and betrayal..

The doctor's office left me two messages - a script has been sent in to a compounding pharmacy (which I can't hear the name of on the recording) AND they are going to send me the blood results.

It is a difficult lesson for us women to learn, but as the head of my seminary is fond of saying.... "Kind is not always nice. Strive to be kind."

Or as my elder is fond of saying, "Jesus never said, 'Be a doormat.'"

Hahahahahaha!

Mariposa,

Just now reading your posting. Sorry you are getting the 'run around' with yet another drs office. I used to work med records and you have every right to get copies of any lab report or ANY medical document. You will be asked to sign a records release form, and some offices charge a small fee (they have that right). Do keep on them!!

But you should know a law passed last year that labs in the U.S. now have to release a copy of the lab work to the patient if requested. So you can go into a Lab Corp or a Quest Lab and ask for the copy to be released to you and they should comply. Any troubles call their headquarters. And that is what I do now, I go to the lab a few days after the blood draw and get my copy. I then can review it before any phone call or dr appt.

And it used to irritate me so much when I was working med office and the nurses had bins of 'call backs' to call the patients to give the lab result by phone and it would sit there for daysss. Used to irritate me because I realized if it was happening at this office it likely happened at my Drs office. So keep a fire lit under them, folks!

That is so frustrating - I agree, keep on them. My doctors usually ask which lab I want to use. Most of the labs in my area, especially the ones at the hospitals, post the results online (in a secure account) so I can log in and look, print copies, compare them to previous test results...it's really handy. Maybe there's a lab like that in your area that you can use in the future?

Thanks! This is a HIPAA violation and a violation of NYS law.

I contacted the lab last week and was told it would take A MONTH to get my results.

I contacted Aetna. They contacted the lab. The lab was SUPPOSED to email me and get me the results within a few days.... Still waiting.

Medical-Industrial Complex. SUX!!!

(And yes - ordained ministers DO know how to curse.)

GGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRR!!!