How hard to get a copy of your sleep study results?

gandalf · Post by **gandalf** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:50 pm

I had my sleep study on 12/26 and the follow up doctor appointment isn't til 1/14. I plan to ask the office for a copy of the sleep study a few days ahead of my appointment.

Do the offices typically provide these or do you have to get into an elevated "persuasion" mode to get a copy?

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:30 pm

Under Federal law (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 2003), you are entitled to copies of any medical tests done, full and complete, not digests or summaries. Most will provide if asked but a few will stall. It's a good idea to make the request a few days ahead of time to give them the opportunity to make the copy (a sleep study report will be a multi-page report). Under HIPAA, they have 30 calendar days to comply, and can make a 'reasonable' charge for the copying.

If your doc refuses, or does not comply in the 30 day period (calendar days, not business days), that would be a red flag to me, indicating at least the potential for future problems.

If a Rx is written for a cpap, BE SURE you get the original of that Rx. Do NOT accept the statement, "We've sent that to the DME to be filled." Insist on another RX being given to you, personally. HIPAA covers prescriptions, too.

Good luck!

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:40 pm

I was given a copy of the sleep study summary without any problems. A lot of forum members have talked about the full report that one should ask for. I made a request from the doctor, then finally the hospital whom I was told actually "own" the records. I was sent another copy of the dictated summaries of both the sleep study and the titration.

When I questioned the doctor I was told that there was NO other report except the computer print outs from the studies and that would entail copying close to a 1000 pages to get the "report". The hospital I used was the local hospital that serves this region (we are a rural area).

I have not persude it any further. Can any tell me if there HAS to be another report or does it depend on the doctor/hospital?

BigBoyBall · Post by **BigBoyBall** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:45 pm

Check the HIPAA laws in regards to your state. Please search for "Your Medical Rights in (Enter State here). That is how I found the HIPAA information.

Doing research today I found out that in Pennsylvania I am allowed to view my medical records from a practioner if I submit a written request, but can be charged per copy made to do so. There is a set value for copied records, please refer to your states guide lines.

You may also request to view your medical records, but I do not believe that you can take them from the office to do so.

Any good doctor, which I have yet to meet in concerns with Sleep Apnea care and treatment, should be willing to share with you the findings and explain the test results for a full understanding.

Unless you are dealing with one D. Talati MD and his staff that is from my personal experience.

Best of luck and please remember - Knowledge is Strength. Learn as much as you can to better yourself in the long run.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:00 pm

I think part of my problem was that my family doctor was the one that requested the sleep study. The sleep lab called and made the appointment with me (took me over a month to get in if I remember correctly) to do the sleep study. I was scheduled for a split night if it came back that I had sleep apnea. In the morning I asked about the testing as I didn't get put on a cpap. Was patted on the back and was told the doctor would be getting a hold of me.

My family doctor called in a few days and said they would have to schedule the titration part of the study as the test showed severe sleep apnea. I NEVER saw a sleep doctor. I was able to get in for the titration a few days later if I would drive to the satellite clinic 35 miles away and I agreed -- otherwise it was going to be another month to get in to the sleep lab.

My family doctor called about a week after the titration test and said she had my script. When I picked up the script she had made a copy of the dictated summary ready (one page and a few lines on page 2). Other than that I NEVER saw a doctor that explained ANY of the findings. My family doctor doesn't know a lot about sleep apnea and I have learned what I know from this forum.

The sleep doctor charged my insurance over a $1000 to "read" the tests. Never indicated that I should have made an appointment and it never occurred to me until just now that I should have tried to set up an appointment with him. Today is the last day of my insurance coverage so that probably isn't an option at the present time.

I did make a written request for the full summary report with charts and graphs. I signed the HIPPA papers to get the summary as well. What I received was the same dictated summary I already had. When I questioned why I didn't get the longer summary I was told it didn't exist.

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:31 pm

My sleep study report consisted of a one page summary, four and a half pages of a more detailed "Explanation of Findings" that was keyed to the linear graph, and six sheets of a multi-line graph. It appears that the latter was a long ribbon of paper that had been folded and refolded to make the copies for me. If they are taped together, they make a single graph, marked off in 15 min. segments.

I believe this would vary from place to place, depending on the monitoring software used and the practices of the doctor 'reading' the report and dictating the summary. Being told (as SleepyCarol was) that the study would encompass "nearly a thousand pages" doesn't pass the smell test imho. Sounds like they were trying to scare her off with something like, "That'll cost you a dollar a page, you know."

BTW, twenty-six states have laws similar to HIPAA. If your state is one, you may have additional access rights to your records; for example, a cap on the fee that can be charged for copies, or a shorter time frame than the Federal thirty day one. Those states will have an office where complaints can be filed (usually listed with the state's Attorney General's office) in addition to the Federal office at the Dept. Of Health and Human Services/Civil Rights Office. http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacyhowtofile.htm

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:42 pm

I think what I will do tomorrow is set down and request copies of the report again.

Can anyone guide me how to word the request so that there isn't any doubt what I want?

I feel that this report would be beneficial as when I had my first sleep study had approximately 275 leg movements in 2 hours. During my titration I slept for approximately 4 hours and had over 200 leg movements. The sleep doctor didn't indicate any concerns with PLMD but my family doctor has prescribed Requip for RLS which I have told her I don't think I have since I don't have the sensations that come with RLS.

I am feeling better than precpap and at first felt great but lately am getting tired during the day and am sleeping longer at night (up to 12 hours) again.

Panhandler · Post by **Panhandler** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:25 pm

I wonder if part of the problem in getting the "complete report" is that a lot of the data collected these days is electronic, and probably doesn't ever make it to paper in the routine course of business. The physician can most likely review it on the screen and dictate his report. Even if the techs flag portions for his attention, the medical records people aren't likely going to be able to pick out the relevant parts of the report.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:47 pm

I don't know about laws in the U.S., but here in Canada, the results of any test must FIRST come from your MD, then there's no problem getting whatever you want for your records. It sounds to me like you're trying to get records before your MD gives results to you (and presumably interprets them, etc.) and techs, labs, nurses, etc. will never give them to you before they know the doctor has.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:26 pm

Carol, if StillAnotherGuest sees this, he could tell you exactly how to word your request. He's a manager of an accredited sleep lab and is an RPSGT.

Perhaps PM him with the URL to this topic...asking him what specific words to use in your request.

Any one of the three files titled "VolStudy" at the URL below will give you an example of the info that's in a "full report" from a sleep study. It's definitely more than just a one page summary dictated by a doctor. But it's certainly not the "1,000" pages the doctor tried to scare you away with.

"A thousand pages" or more would have been referring to the raw data acquired during the night. Epoch by epoch. That's not what you're asking for, but the doctor may have misunderstood... perhaps willfully.

The kind of report as shown in my example is what we're calling a "full report", but maybe there's a better word for it. It's certainly more than than just the final one or two page summary report.

Just guessing, I'd think the full report should be about four to a dozen pages, depending on what software the lab used during the study.

http://www.tnlc.com/Lara/laura/osa/study-Oct2005/

allen476 · Post by **allen476** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:53 pm

I recently requested a copy of my sleep/titration studies and was given no hassle at all. The PA did it while I was in the exam room. The PSG report was 4 pages (1 page summary, the rest nice charts and graphs) and the titration report was 5 pages (1 page summary, the rest nice charts, graphs, and tables).

It shouldn't be a problem if you have a good relationship with your sleep doc.

Allen

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:01 pm

I just asked SuperJet in chat last night what to call the report I call the full data summary report. He said that he didn't know that there was any specific name for it but that "fully data summary report" was plenty adequate.

I differentiate the "full data summary report" from the "doctor's dictated results" report.

Here's hoping SAG will see this and reply. I'd like to know if there is a better or more formal, correct name for it than "full data summary report" myself.

Too bad its the middle of the Holidays. I'd call my sleep lab manager and ask her. They certainly had no problem understanding exactly what I meant when I asked for it. They gave it to me w/no problems.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:11 pm

Julie Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know about laws in the U.S., but here in Canada, the results of any test must FIRST come from your MD, then there's no problem getting whatever you want for your records. It sounds to me like you're trying to get records before your MD gives results to you (and presumably interprets them, etc.) and techs, labs, nurses, etc. will never give them to you before they know the doctor has.

The sleep doctor has ALREADY read the reports and sent a copy of the dictated reports to my family doctor. I have had my apap since August.

So I am NOT trying to get the results BEFORE the MD but the final summary of which SHOULD already be written.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:19 pm

Rested Gal --

Thanks. I see now what the reports should look like.

What is the best way to pm SAG besides going through the memberlist and trying to find him?

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:31 pm

Carol, Just do a search for one of his posts (search by his name) when it comes up click on his PM.

Jerry

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4