Screwed again by bad RE? Is this hopeless?

Mrs.R2D2 · July 2009

Y'all might remember my asking - my husband asked our old RE some really stupid questions about IUI and indicated that he somewhat felt like he was "playing God". In response, the RE basically refused to treat us until we underwent counseling by one of her associates, so we decided to look for a new clinic. There were other issues that made us uncomfortable, but that was the icing on the cake.

We found one, and have an appointment tomorrow morning. I spoke with the old RE's receptionist just now, and she got quite snippy when I explained we were transferring clinics. She told me she would fax my chart over to the new RE, but not for three weeks. ETA: I called to ask if I could pick up the records in person, and was told that that was not an option. Time to call a lawyer?

I have a problem with this because - legally, aren't these records MY property? Where does she get off withholding them for nearly a month? Also, is it possible that she trashed us in the chart - ie, wrote something like, "they're totally nuts, do not treat until a mental health professional OKs"?

If so, is it possible the new RE will refuse to treat us? Or might they listen to our side of the story, that there was a personality clash and some attitude about my H's prior marriage and our disdain for SR?

I just want to cry right now. I feel like once again, that biitch old-RE is playing God and trying to prevent us from having a baby.

Temp893722312503334 · July 2009

Can you just pick them up yourself? I;d do that and just break the ties quickly.

krissyh21 · July 2009

It is common for there to be a ridiculous time frame to transfer records, my office said 90 days! However, if I picked them up in person I could have them immediately, you should call and ask about that. I don't think they are intentionally trying to screw you, just not dropping everything to accommodate your request.

Your RE will not refuse to treat you based on why you left one clinic, they however would need to see your old records and testing results in order to treat you sooner rather then later.

Mrs.R2D2 · July 2009

chaucer:
Can you just pick them up yourself? I;d do that and just break the ties quickly.

They will not give me this option, as they claim they are kept by an outside company out of state. Is it time to get my lawyer involved? This is ridiculous.

ginger67 · July 2009

One of my clients, who is a surgeon, told me that records belong to the patient and always get a copy when you leave an appointment because records can always get "lost". You should go there and get them - really - all they have to do is pull them up and print them.

brooke9 · July 2009

I'm sorry that you're going through this. ?Sometimes doctor's offices use outside companies to copy records so this can sometimes cause the delay. I'd do as other posters have suggested and ask if you could pick the records up yourself, this may speed the process, but you may have to pay for them if you do pick them up. ?As far as being concerned about what the RE may have written in the chart, I'd suggest that you're very open with the new RE as to why you were leaving the old one. ?Explain the situation a clearly and concisely as you can without name calling and removing as much emotion as possible. ?Also, keep in mind that the pt record is technically a legal document so most docs, when writing notes, keep this in mind and keep the notes professional in tone, so you may have nothing to worry about.

GenRN45 · July 2009

ditto PP.

womet · July 2009

Mrs.R2D2:

chaucer:
Can you just pick them up yourself? I;d do that and just break the ties quickly.

They will not give me this option, as they claim they are kept by an outside company out of state. Is it time to get my lawyer involved? This is ridiculous.

This makes no sense. If you were coming in for another appointment, would they be requesting your record from another state? They are giving you a hard time.

brooke9 · July 2009

also, there is sometimes more "professional courtesy" between physician offices. ?Maybe you can call the new RE's office to see if they can request the full record or at least copies of your lab work to be faxed to them by tomorrow. ?

rachel06 · July 2009

I work in the medical field am I am in patient charts daily. Those records are your records and you do have a right to have a copy of them. I would either call your new RE and ask them to call & request that the records be faxed over to them for tomorrows appointment or tell them you are coming in to get a copy of your chart. Good luck with everything. Something does sound fishy to me though.

MBandBud · July 2009

In regards to obtaining medical records, mine requires submitting of a release form (one for each of us) and takes 3 weeks. I don't think they are being difficult on purpose here; it is likely just process. One way you can validate this is calling and not saying who you are and asking 'how do I obtain a copy of my records'. I would then follow this up with 'oh, wow, well we have an appt tomorrow morning, is there anything i can do? maybe come in and get them?'. I would do all this without identifying yourself so you feel confident you are getting the standard answer.

In regards to the 'notes' on your record I highly doubt that there is anything inappropriate there. Most docs are worried about lawsuits so they simply wouldn't document anything but facts. Not that it doesn't happen, but they also know that these records are yours and you may request them (esp if they are telling you they won't treat you).

All this being said I wouldn't stress about this too much. My thought is you probably know enough of your own Hx to have a worthwhile conversation with your new RE. Hang in there and good luck tomorrow with your new RE. Hold onto hope and keep us posted.

yodasmistress · July 2009

Laws regarding ownership and possession of medical records vary by state and they aren't always as "good" to the patient as intuition would make us think.

MerryMarisa · July 2009

brooke9:
also, there is sometimes more "professional courtesy" between physician offices. Maybe you can call the new RE's office to see if they can request the full record or at least copies of your lab work to be faxed to them by tomorrow.

Ditto this. I think your RE is giving you a hard time; 3 wks is ridiculous. When I changed RE's, my records were ready for pick-up in a week. I agree that asking your new RE to request your records might be a faster route. I'm sorry you're going through this; it is very hard to feel like other people have so much power over our lives. I hope you get your records soon!

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