Cost to obtain medical records
Hi. Does anyone have any experience with the cost to obtain medical records? I wish to leave my current MD in long valley and would like to have an idea of recent charges to copy records. Thanks .
A good dayHmmm, didn't know there was a cost, but then I haven't changed my PCP in over 12 years. They used to just send the records to your new Doctor, though when my old PCP retired and he was part of St. Clare's "Network" of clinics, they clamed they needed to retain the records since he was considered "part" of the hospital. They did copy all the rocords for free and give us copies to give to the new Physician.
Now that all the Doctors are covered by the Electronic Documents Record Keeping Act, or whatever the law is called, I would think that your current doctor would keep an electronic file and would just copy and send it to your new Physician or would provide you with a DVD of said records for a nominal fee. I mean that's part of what the Law was all about, right?
I'm sure those working in a medical office as administrators can enlighten us all on whether that actually occurs or whether another procedure is followed and what range the fees are. Best of luck!
Phil D. HHS.gov is an excellent source for HIPAA (sometime called "the privacy rule" or just "the rule") information. The Office for Civil Rights under the US Department of Health and Human Services is the governing body for the rule.
A healthcare provider may charge you for a copy of your records, but they don't have to.
The intention of HIPAA was to create an environment where your health information could be quickly and easily accessed by the those who need it. That includes you. There is a great deal of misunderstanding from patients and healthcare providers, so this website is really helpful.
Res2 When my obgyn retired and I wanted my records sent to my new Dr., they wanted to charge me $1.00 a copy. I tried to fight it, to no avail; I told them to keep the records.
Iris Just a guess, but could you sign a records release at your old doc and have the new doc request them? They wouldnt charge the new doc, right?
3wbdwnj cost 250 to get my records from the doctor but when one doctor asks another doctor for records no charge so have your new doc ask the old doc for records
Caged Animal Mine have always been free but the receiving doctor has made the request keeping me out of the loop.
Make sure next doc files electronically then you won't need copies.....
My last surgeon dictates his notes, they are voice transcribed into text, he edits, and then the whole thing goes into his database. Cool.
Downside is (and I am guessing here), I think he used the word "accident" to describe the repair. It was an area damaged from a previous accident but the current surgery had nothing to do with it. I think the health insurance company electronically searches the doctor's notes looking for key words like "accident." Next thing I know, I get a call from a third-party investigative machine...I mean company, who wants to ask me twenty questions. I freak when I get this message. This is followed by a denial of payment notice from the hospital. Have to call insurance company who assures me they hire these guys, call the machine back and it asks about all my other forms of accident insurance for a surgery already approved by my insurer like was the accident in a car, at home, at work.... I say no to all, since it was not an accident to begin with, and they go away. Spooky though.
Welcome to the new world of digital records.....
My GP also is digital and prescriptions, specialist appoints etc. are all transmitted during the examination. Often I think the script is in the mail from the mail order pharm before I leave the office! Specialists get all the info they need as he books the referral. Makes stuff easy-peazy.
strangerdanger My former internist didn't charge anything nor did my former gynecologist. However my friend was told $1 a page and that records averaged about $100. There is something wrong here.
4catmom Have never been charged, but then again, I always ask for a copy of the doctors findings / reports be e-mailed to me..( no charge for pushing a button "send"..
File everything under "Doctor" medical , then year one folder for each individual year .
Hope this helps.
Steven New Jersey
New Jersey Administrative Code §8:43G-15.3(d)
Hospitals
$1.00 per page for first 100 pages
$.25 per page thereafter to a maximum charge of $200.00 for the entire record
2004 Update
2005 Readoption from NJ Dept. of Health and Senior Services
New Jersey Administrative Code §13:35-6.5(c)(4)
Doctors:
$1.00 per page or $100.00 for the whole record, whichever is less
UPDATE: 2008 Copying Charges
If insurance companies were nonprofit, like Blue Cross, back in the 70's, doctors wouldn't have to compensate, sometimes at our expense, for lack of payment. Every time a payment is made is a direct conflict of interest..." the golden skeleton", to investors. How life sustaining products, like food and health care can be legally publicly traded , is beyond belief. Predatory capitalism at its best.
sparksjbc1964 You maybe able to acess all of your health records by registering at the top right of the page. http://www.relayhealth.com/
Atlantic Health, St. Clare's Health System, Banabas Health and a few local doctors are using this program and they do share the information.
As a Patient you can pick and choose what results you want others providers to see. I just registered the other day and selected my current doctor and added him as a provider. Everything that was done in his office from EKG to tests that were ordered and their results where there.
Good luck I hope this helps. You doctor my already use this program.
CJ. 
Antimony I get a copy each visit regardless of plans to leave that physician or not. I just want my own records about me. So if you do it every visit you won't be charged and in the end you have your records. Which you should have anyway.
Walking Girl Walking Girl --
That is what my mom has always done. She always feels she has control that way not only knowing what is going on with her health, but knowing if what is being told to her in terms of medication or procedures is warranted, and if she agrees with it.
Too many people put blind faith in doctors.
God bless my mom ---- she is 90 years old to date, and in good health!!
She will probably live to 120.
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