Charges to obtain my own medical records

[rested gal]

Be careful about using the word "Summary" when asking for the report from your sleep study. They might think you mean just a one page doctor's summary.

I'd ask for "the full NPSG sleep study report." That kind of report would usually be eight pages or so, as Den mentioned.

NPSG stands for "nocturnal polysomnogram" -- the sleep study.

[maggie22561]

Some here on the forum have been aboe to exchange their basic machine for a fully data capable machine if they try within the first 30 days after receiving it.

Maybe you can do that or do you mean that you are in the process of trying to do that?

Yes, I am in the process of trying to upgrade machines right now. I'm not sure who's mucking up the works actually, the ins. or the DME. Unfortunately my ins. co. covers just this one DME and no others. My ins. coverage is an HMO and is paid in full by me. I am self employed. The ins.co. is not wanting to cover more than 50% of the cost of any machine.

rested gal, thank you! I will be sure to specify that I want the full NPSG sleep study report.

[Slinky]

If your insurance will only pay 50% I can guarantee you that you can get a fully data capable CPAP at cpap.com for what your copay will be thru the HMO's DME supplier. And quite possibly a fully data capable APAP. Check out prices online and then see what the local DME supplier is going to charge you for a copay.

[LoQ]

I wonder if they would be allowed to email you a copy?

I asked my current sleep doctor if they could do that. The answer was, no, HIPAA rules prevent it. I don't know if HIPAA does or not, but that was the story.

[Slinky]

I believe that is correct, they can't FAX it. BUT - they can snail MAIL it to you.

[maggie22561]

Snail mail is how mine will be coming. I have to go to the sleep doctors office in person and fill out a request, and the copy comes to me in 2 weeks in the mail.

[Physician]

Depends upon which State you are in. In California the Health and Safety Code permits a physician to charge for copies given to you. However, if the copies are sent directly to another HCP, and not to you, then it is rare that a charge is generated. Have copies sent to a physician friend and get those copies from him/her.

CALIFORNIA STATUTE: http://www.medbd.ca.gov/consumer/compla ... rds.html#3

Pursuant to Health & Safety Code section 123110, a doctor can charge 25 cents per page plus a reasonable clerical fee. For diagnostic films, such as an x-ray, MRI, CT and PET scans, you can be charged the actual cost of copying the films. This only applies if you have made a written request for a copy of your medical records to be provided to you.

[Julie]

I think you have misunderstood something - you were quoted a rate of $2/pg, then $.20 per, after that, but it doesn't mean your chart has 20 pgs, just that their RATE is that much (however many pgs there are).

[mattman]

A lot of doctors offices charge nowadays for providing records. And has already been mentioned, the standard that I've seen is X dollars per Y pages.

I don't like it, but I understand it. The sheer amount of paper shuffling required these days at doctors offices would be highly annoying to me if I worked there and spent half my time doing it, so I understand it. But I sure hate having to pay it!

mattman

[Gia]

I wonder if they would be allowed to email you a copy?

I asked my current sleep doctor if they could do that. The answer was, no, HIPAA rules prevent it. I don't know if HIPAA does or not, but that was the story.

Actually HIPAA doesn't prevent them from sending it via email - it is considered PHI so specific protections must occur - such as sending it via secure email - faxing and snail mail to be or much more risky (at least to me - I'm not sure if my postal carrier can read addresses since I get mail for other people who live in my condo complex all the time). If you can physically go to the office - take a flash drive with you, and request an electronic copy of the records - the cost should be much less since paper/toner are not involved.

[hose-head2010]

Mine provides a copy to me no charge. After $4,000 for the study that's the least they could do.

Separate but related....ditch the DME. They charge WAY OVER what the machines can be had via online providers.
Ex. my DME sells the PR model I have for $2,100 or they'll rent it for $258.00 per month (inc humidifier). I was able to buy a newer model for under $700 delivered to my house in 2 days.

Caveat...Just make sure your INS carrier will allow a purchase. Some, like medicare (I've heard) would rather rent than buy, even though it makes no economic sense whatsoever.

Make sure you get a copy of your prescription because you'll need it to order online.

One last thing...the DME that I started using (no more) rents space within the sleep lab at my local hospital. Like a %@*&+!^ spider.

Between the folks on this forum and your sleep doc you'll be fine.

[mergh]

It cost me 25.00 to get my heart records.

[WearyOne]

I received my sleep study and titration results at no charge; I receive a mailed or faxed copy of my thyroid blood work results each year at no charge. But whenever I ask for a copy of my records anywhere, that they do charge for, probably because of the higher volume and time involved. I would not want my records faxed to me, as I have received medical records faxed to me from medical facilities and doctors' offices that WERE NOT mine! (These were not from any doctor or facility that I go to, just random records that someone either had the wrong fax number or punched the number in wrong.)

I have a friend who does medical transcription of IME's and daily notes. With the new HIPAA laws, she is required to encrypt everything she sends by email and that encryption has to pass HIPAA requirements that are fairly strict.

Pam

[mergh]

Thank you for talking about the reports now I am going to go back and see if there is more, I don't care if they want to charge me but really would like to know what I should see on the reports?

Thank you

[chunkyfrog]

Couldn't you just bring in a usb thumb drive and have them dump it on there?
In a common format?