Freedom Of Information Act Request

[drtarzanmd]

( Today's Date )

 

( Doctors Name )

( Doctors Address )

( City , State , Zip Code )

( Doctors Phone Number )

 

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request

 

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

I request that a copy of the following documents

of all my medical records be provided to me:

 

A- all forms sign by ( Your Name )

 

B- all medical reports, from January 1st, 1990 till April 10th, 2010 ( put in correct Dates )

 

C- all copies of any and all doctor visits reports or statements

 

D- all copies of all medication perscibed to ( Your Name )

 

E- all records of any test performed by ( Your Doctors Name ) and results

 

F- all copies of all reports in my medical file

 

In order to help to determine my status to assess fees,

you should know that I am unable to work and I am Unemployeed

and receiving FIA assistance and am on SSI.

 

I am a individual seeking information for personal use

and not for commercial use.

 

I am willing to pay fees for this request up to a

maximum of $20.00 and 20 cents per copy.

If you estimate that the fees will exceed this limit,

please inform me first.

 

I request a waiver of all fees for this request,

because of my income and disability.

 

Thank you for your consideration of my request.

 

Sincerely,

 

___________________________ ...... ________________

( Your Name ).......................................... ( Date )

( Your Address )

( Town , State , Zipe Code )

( Your Phone Number )

 

Please Note that i send them Certified Mail

[Mykul]

Thanks for this! I'm sure that this will be an invaluable resource.

[drtarzanmd]

Thanks for this! I'm sure that this will be an invaluable resource.

 

Your Welcome " Mykul "

 

I use this type of request for all my Medical

Doctors, Pharmacy's , etc.

 

I always send them certified mail ,

So i have proff they received it....

 

Useally in less then 5 days i get my records ( No Charge )

 

Hope this helps those needing their records .

 

Tarzan

[greenbuddha]

Your Welcome " Mykul "

 

I use this type of request for all my Medical

Doctors, Pharmacy's , etc.

 

I always send them certified mail ,

So i have proff they received it....

 

Useally in less then 5 days i get my records ( No Charge )

 

Hope this helps those needing their records .

 

Tarzan

 

 

drtar... if it's just for records from your doctor's office a person can also just go to the front desk and ask for a RELEASE of INFORMATION FORM... you don't even have to see the doctor.

 

You just fill in 'your name' where it asks for the person to whom the records are to be sent and your address. You might be charged a fee similar to what you listed. You'd have to give the doctor's office time of course to find your records and mail them or you could call ahead and go in and pick them up.

 

The doctor's office does NOT have to be given ANY reason about WHY you want your records.

 

Thanks for the post... it'll help a lot of people that might not otherwise try to get their records.

 

Peace.

[drtarzanmd]

drtar... if it's just for records from your doctor's office a person can also just go to the front desk and ask for a RELEASE of INFORMATION FORM... you don't even have to see the doctor.

 

You just fill in 'your name' where it asks for the person to whom the records are to be sent and your address. You might be charged a fee similar to what you listed. You'd have to give the doctor's office time of course to find your records and mail them or you could call ahead and go in and pick them up.

 

The doctor's office does NOT have to be given ANY reason about WHY you want your records.

 

Thanks for the post... it'll help a lot of people that might not otherwise try to get their records.

 

Peace.

 

Thanks " greenbuddha "

 

Yes I know... But some people are having problems

getting their medical records for some reason or other ?

 

Not sure Why ?

 

So i just thought i would share w/ others what i use

and Avoids having any confrontation of having to answer

any Questions .

 

Im sure there are more official or legal forms to use like :

 

HIPAA rules , the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

 

This is a federal law.

 

But i was just trying to help the best i know how .

 

Tarzan

[greenbuddha]

Thanks " greenbuddha "

 

Yes I know... But some people are having problems

getting their medical records for some reason or other ?

 

Not sure Why ?

 

So i just thought i would share w/ others what i use

and Avoids having any confrontation of having to answer

any Questions .

 

Im sure there are more official or legal forms to use like :

 

HIPAA rules , the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

 

This is a federal law.

 

But i was just trying to help the best i know how .

 

Tarzan

 

Tarzan, Excellent post IMO. Wasn't trying to get in the way. I was just trying to add another option for those that might not have known about the 'release of info form' for use at their doctor's office.

 

But if they have records with SSI, etc., to my thinking (for what it's worth) the form you use is a great one. Especially since SSI and other gov agencies probably don't have anything like ' a release form' and if they do they may make it difficult to get hold of.

 

I for one certainly appreciate your post. Thanks again.

 

Peace and be well.

[phaquetoo]

Thanks " greenbuddha "

 

Yes I know... But some people are having problems

getting their medical records for some reason or other ?

 

Not sure Why ?

 

So i just thought i would share w/ others what i use

and Avoids having any confrontation of having to answer

any Questions .

 

Im sure there are more official or legal forms to use like :

 

HIPAA rules , the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

 

This is a federal law.

 

But i was just trying to help the best i know how .

 

Tarzan

 

Your medical records are yours and they have to give them to you. I have 12 yrs worth rite now, all i do is keep track of when i got them last and than i call my dr's and tell them a need a copy of my medical records, they havent charged me yet!

Peace

[Boaterman]

DrTarzan,You sir are a true MM warrior. Here's to ya.

[drtarzanmd]

DrTarzan,You sir are a true MM warrior. Here's to ya.

 

Thanks " Boaterman "

 

My main goal was just to help others make

 

it EASIER for them to get their Medical Records ....

 

All i can say is it has Always worked for me ...

[+Silverblue]

To Dr. Tarzan MD, Ok so if I understand right, IF the dr.'s office asks why someone wants their records, and the patient says for personal use, they have to accept that? Could they refuse without a "real" reason?

 

Silverblue

[strangluv]

To Dr. Tarzan MD, Ok so if I understand right, IF the dr.'s office asks why someone wants their records, and the patient says for personal use, they have to accept that? Could they refuse without a "real" reason?

 

Silverblue

 

 

(20 yrs in docs offices)

 

They cannot refuse the pts request for their records, you really don't need a form/certified letter, 99% of offices will give you a copy of your chart very quickly.

[drtarzanmd]

Sorry " Silverblue " it took so long to reply back...

 

Apprently Everyone is'nt having No Problems getting their

Medical records ? and are not being asked what you want them for ?

 

According to " strangluv " post

 

They cannot refuse the pts request for their records,

 

They can't refuse you your Records .. nor do you have to give them a reason ?

 

Where as i have found that alot of Northern Michigan Doctors Office's

Don't Always follow those Rules ? and give patients a hard time ?

Plus i have seen patients drug tested shortly after asking for their records !

 

Alot of my Friends had problems getting their medical records ,

So that's why i use this to get any information i need ...

 

Plus they know I've always keep records ,

Especially now w/ me on Social Security ....

[+Silverblue]

Hi Dr. T, thanks for replying. Law is fascinating to me, if I could've I would've been a lawyer but I'm not mean enough. LOL!

 

Silverblue

[drtarzanmd]

Hi Dr. T, thanks for replying. Law is fascinating to me, if I could've I would've been a lawyer but I'm not mean enough. LOL!

 

Silverblue

 

Nice seeing You Around Silverblue :

 

I should of been one as many times as

I've needed a Lawyer in my Life and

Family needing Attorney's ...

 

What Fanscinate me the most is HOW a Law

can be Twisted to fit you if you have enough money ...

 

The Law can say one thing... But can have Several meanings ....

 

I don't think i could of been an Attorney ...

I 'd probly be in jail if i was ...

[+Silverblue]

Nice seeing you around too, Dr. T. I agree it is amazing how they bend the laws. It's like anything else, open to interpretation, that's where people get in trouble, though it can be a benefit to some, hopefully to We THE PEOPLE.

 

Silverblue

[strangluv]

Sorry " Silverblue " it took so long to reply back...

 

Apprently Everyone is'nt having No Problems getting their

Medical records ? and are not being asked what you want them for ?

 

According to " strangluv " post

 

 

 

They can't refuse you your Records .. nor do you have to give them a reason ?

 

Where as i have found that alot of Northern Michigan Doctors Office's

Don't Always follow those Rules ? and give patients a hard time ?

Plus i have seen patients drug tested shortly after asking for their records !

 

Alot of my Friends had problems getting their medical records ,

So that's why i use this to get any information i need ...

 

Plus they know I've always keep records ,

Especially now w/ me on Social Security ....

 

Sorry, our experiences are different, I'm sure you most busy offices release dozens of charts per week, mostly to insurance carriers and other offices, and I understand Northern MI may be a different world...some docs think (mistakenly) that the chart is theirs...it's not it belongs to the patient....there was a time when docs worried about every request for records as either

a ) a lawsuit about to happen

or

B ) a patient "doctor shopping" and about to either lose or sue the practice.

 

I suppose testing the pt for drugs is possible but you could (in theory) refuse the test, you should always be told of what tests they are running and "some routines tests" is not an answer

[imiubu]

Tarzan, Excellent post IMO. Wasn't trying to get in the way. I was just trying to add another option for those that might not have known about the 'release of info form' for use at their doctor's office.

 

But if they have records with SSI, etc., to my thinking (for what it's worth) the form you use is a great one. Especially since SSI and other gov agencies probably don't have anything like ' a release form' and if they do they may make it difficult to get hold of.

 

I for one certainly appreciate your post. Thanks again.

 

Peace and be well.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/

will send you information you request on

the site by snail mail or email... well, I know snail mail for sure

and that is your paper documentation. I always make an extra

copy of anything I request from any source, for my own files..jik

peace

[Marijane115]

I work with the Mid-Michigan Medical Marijuan Rx clinic. We are seeing patients that have had every excuse thrown at them for why their medical records requests can't be met. These records are the patients. Doctors must keep records for a period of time (5 years) after last visit and some are then stored off site. Be persistent. We have heard many stories about records being destroyed etc. Unfortunatly some are. In some cases it's been many years since a patient had been to a doctor, the doc died, etc. and the records were just not found. We encourage EVERYONE to always ask for their reports for any procedure, hospitalization, test results, notes etc. Everyone should just make a habit of keeping a file for themselves and adding copies of their records on a regular basis. I have also heard of patients being told they could not "Have" their reports but the doc's office would fax to another doc. Just be persistent. Always get your results, notes, etc. You never know when you'll need them.

[imiubu]

I work with the Mid-Michigan Medical Marijuan Rx clinic. We are seeing patients that have had every excuse thrown at them for why their medical records requests can't be met. These records are the patients. Doctors must keep records for a period of time (5 years) after last visit and some are then stored off site. Be persistent. We have heard many stories about records being destroyed etc. Unfortunatly some are. In some cases it's been many years since a patient had been to a doctor, the doc died, etc. and the records were just not found. We encourage EVERYONE to always ask for their reports for any procedure, hospitalization, test results, notes etc. Everyone should just make a habit of keeping a file for themselves and adding copies of their records on a regular basis. I have also heard of patients being told they could not "Have" their reports but the doc's office would fax to another doc. Just be persistent. Always get your results, notes, etc. You never know when you'll need them.

Yes! I have gotten in the habit of writing on any test request:

"Copy to Patient", then I receive all copies by snail mail.

Easy and no one asks questions.

This doesn't solve the retaining of any past records but,

may help everyone to get their results from

any future tests etc...

peace

[greenbuddha]

Most doctor's offices will ask you to sign a 'Release of Information' form (almost ALL doctor's office have these).

 

They ask you to sign this form to cover themselves against law suits for releasing information inappropriately to those that should not have your records.

 

YOU own your med records and you can not be refused copies of them, however the front desk and even the doctors sometimes ask why you want your records so that if you are about to sue your doctor it won't come as such a surprise to them.

 

When you ask for a 'release of information form' it of course helps to be polite, and sometimes to provide a simple reason for 'why' you want them.

 

The simple answer of 'I like to have copies of my records in case I move' or you can say you are going to have a 'specialist take a look at... (what ever your condition might be).

[imiubu]

Most doctor's offices will ask you to sign a 'Release of Information' form (almost ALL doctor's office have these).

 

They ask you to sign this form to cover themselves against law suits for releasing information inappropriately to those that should not have your records.

 

YOU own your med records and you can not be refused copies of them, however the front desk and even the doctors sometimes ask why you want your records so that if you are about to sue your doctor it won't come as such a surprise to them.

 

When you ask for a 'release of information form' it of course helps to be polite, and sometimes to provide a simple reason for 'why' you want them.

 

The simple answer of 'I like to have copies of my records in case I move' or you can say you are going to have a 'specialist take a look at... (what ever your condition might be).

 

Someone suggested to just say "for personal reasons"

I had several places to go to retrieve my info and only

1 time did I get asked and that's what I told them.

Okay was her answer and would I like to pick them

up or would I like them mailed. I had her mail them!

I suppose I have been lucky as I have had no trouble

collecting my medical records and I have never been

charged for them... yay

peace

[Guest CaveatLector]

Uhhh....the Freedom of Information Act doesn't apply to medical records! A FOIA request is something submitted to a government agency not a private physician.

[JohnB RPh]

Medical records are required to be kept for a minimum of SEVEN years from their date of last use.

 

Medical records, including prescription records, are required to be kept in an orderly and retrievable fashion. If not kept on site, the record holder must be able to produce them within 24 hours to inspectors.

 

A "release of information" form is to protect both the health care provider and especially the patient, insuring private health care information is only released to authorized individuals of the patients choosing.

 

A patient may request any or all of their medical records at any time, for any reason.

 

The patient may request, either verbally or in writing, a detail of when and to whom their private health care information has been released. The health care provider has 60 days to respond, and may request at most a 30 day extention if the individual entity is notified in writing as to the reason of the delay.

 

Again, detailed summary explanations of the privacy of your health care may be found at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacysummary.pdf

[phaquetoo]

Sorry, our experiences are different, I'm sure you most busy offices release dozens of charts per week, mostly to insurance carriers and other offices, and I understand Northern MI may be a different world...some docs think (mistakenly) that the chart is theirs...it's not it belongs to the patient....there was a time when docs worried about every request for records as either

a ) a lawsuit about to happen

or

B ) a patient "doctor shopping" and about to either lose or sue the practice.

 

I suppose testing the pt for drugs is possible but you could (in theory) refuse the test, you should always be told of what tests they are running and "some routines tests" is not an answer

 

 

Unfortunatly, If you are in a pain management (clinic) they usualy do make you sign paperwork that says, You can not get prescriptions from any where else, and you must submit to periodic,random urine screens, Now alot of times they do this for a few reasons, to make sure you are doing your meds(and not selling them) and to make sure you dont have illegal narcotics in you! after all we are all addicts remember! (jk) as far as getting your records, If they dont give you a copy, contact a lawyer! They have to give them to you>

 

People I have just had problems with a dr. But I have all of my records, And lets all remember the Dr. works for us, We dont work for them,If you are truly disabled or have a qualifying condition, you should not have any problems, If you are not being treated rite, Fire the dr. and Hire a New one!

[+Silverblue]

I have records dating back to my surgery but can't get them because I can't get ahold of the doctor.What do I do? The next Dr I had tried to get them and couldn't, either, so I guess the doc moved away. WHAT happens to the patients' records? How likely is it that they were destroyed?

 

Sb