HIPAA and medical reports
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: HIPAA and medical reports

Colordeagua

Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 06:44 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I saw my doctor on 10/22 for a check-up. During the visit, two or three times I asked for a copy of the full report of a recent medical test. I left without it. So yesterday (10/31), I called the doctor's office and spoke with the nurse and requested a copy of the report be sent to me. According to the clinic's interpretation of HIPAA law, I have to go there and sign a release form. YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING! Without the patient's written release, they will not send information about the patient to the patient (mailing it to the patient's home address in their files) at the patient's request. Again, YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

On 10/30 I received the lab report (which simply said "negative") regarding this same test -- without my written release. I'm writing to doctor's office about this and in the same letter will request that the full report be sent to me. I hope that works.

What kind of experiences have you had in this regard with your doctors and HIPAA laws? Could you get medical reports with just a phone call?

Reader234

Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 06:54 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I've always been given what I've needed, to this point. With Hippa, I'm just tired of signing the bloody form!! The first day it went into effect I had to sign it THREE times!! (kids playing sports get injured!!) I LOL that the privacy form at the drugstore we have to sign, and we have to sign picking up meds, so your name is all over the place... I think its great in theory, but there seems to be so many loopholes!!

When ds was injured in college DH didnt think he'd be able to get any information from the docs, we were extremely fortunate that this doc chose to inform the dad whose name is on the insurance card the ds is using... and tell us surgery wasnt needed, he went over the mri results over the phone for us!!

Colordeagua

Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 07:10 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Reader, were you able to get a written report about yourself or possibly minor child with just a phone call?

Texannie

Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 07:32 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Even with HIPPA, it is my understanding that you still need to sign a different form to have medical forms release through the mail/fax ect. I usually get copies of my records while at the doc's office, but if I forget or need stuff sent to the school, I have to have an up to date release on file at the doc's office.

Colordeagua

Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 07:44 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I am a retired legal secretary. Coincidentally, one of the last attorneys I worked for was concerned with HIPAA laws. I've asked her about this via e-mail. Expect to get a reply on Monday or Tuesday.

I am also irritated with doctor because, as I said, when I was there for office visit I asked her two and quite possibly three times for a copy of the report. Left without it. When I spoke to her on the phone regarding all this HIPAA stuff, she laid it on me that I didn't remind her about it while I was there. I said consider the first time I asked for it as the request and any subsequent were reminders -- which is true.

Depending on what I hear from my former boss, I may go as far as to speak to the clinic's counsel. I can ask that person why then did I receive copy of lab report in the mail without my written release. I'd like to know.

Reader234

Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 08:20 am EditMoveDeleteIP
No, to my knowledge we didnt ask for written report, I suppose we should know more about ds injury, and prognosis.

Colordeagua

Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 09:20 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Reader, On a cancer message board I visit, it was recommended that the patient have a copy of all medical reports (particularly biopsies?). I had a little (was I ever lucky) breast cancer last winter. So last winter I requested copies of full reports of all previous mammograms, biopsies, etc. Good thing I did. I discovered something in one report that I swear my doctor had not told me. Due to that, had another biopsy. TG, that one turned out to be benign.

Konamouse

Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 10:33 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
HIPPA rules and regulations are still very confusing to everyone in the medical field. It was a brainless idea from Bill Clinton (no one ever complained nor was there ever any lawsuit to generate this law) and it took years for the-powers-that-be to come up with all the legal jargon that is the Health Information yadda yadda yadda.

At my hospital we all had to learn about HIPPA and it's part of our annual training. The biggest violators of these rules??? The doctor's themselves. How many times do I overhear them talking on their phones about their patients or the neurosurgeon in Las Vegas who was discussing Roy Horn's condition with the press (even though this physician was NOT on the case, and did not have permission to give out any medical information for this patient).

What does it mean for healthcare providers? More paperwork, and then the patients have to jump through more hoops.

I feel your frustration, Color, from the other side of the fence.

'squeek'