Freedom Of Information Act Request

[JohnB RPh]

 

 

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

Silver, did the doctor retire or just move from the area? Either way, you are required to be notified of a way to access your records. Was he affiliated with a clinic, or a private practitioner? I'm assuming not a clinic doctor because the clinic would still have them. By state law, your record may not be destroyed for quite a long period of time, I'm talking years, and you must be allowed access to them. Typically, a retiring physician will store his records with a medical records company upon retirement. I would suggest contacting the Department of Community Health Bureau of Health Professions licensing division at (517) 335-0918 for more information. You can even look up the doctors license status at *broken link removed* if you want to see what he's currently up to.

[+Silverblue]

 

 

Silver, did the doctor retire or just move from the area? Either way, you are required to be notified of a way to access your records. Was he affiliated with a clinic, or a private practitioner? I'm assuming not a clinic doctor because the clinic would still have them. By state law, your record may not be destroyed for quite a long period of time, I'm talking years, and you must be allowed access to them. Typically, a retiring physician will store his records with a medical records company upon retirement. I would suggest contacting the Department of Community Health Bureau of Health Professions licensing division at (517) 335-0918 for more information. You can even look up the doctors license status at *broken link removed* if you want to see what he's currently up to.

Hi JohnB RPh, THANK YOU! Thank you VERY MUCH! I don't know what happened to him, but I think it was a clinic and I can't remember the exact name but I remember where it was. A friend of mine tried to find the Dr too and couldn't. I know that info won't help me with the MM app process but I'd still like to have them and so would my current eye Dr. Those records are in Cali.

Sb

[Guest Wayne]

While certainly not required, simply explain your seeking the counsel of a specialist, or a second opinion. Funny thing about HIPPA. Your doctor has no more right to have your personal medical infomation (obviously other than that he keeps himself and you share with him) than anyone else. You are not required to sign a release. It's yours and you can staple it to every telephone pole if you like. Know your rights and if your doctor is too stupid to understand them you best seek another physician.

[JohnB RPh]

Hi JohnB RPh, THANK YOU! Thank you VERY MUCH! I don't know what happened to him, but I think it was a clinic and I can't remember the exact name but I remember where it was. A friend of mine tried to find the Dr too and couldn't. I know that info won't help me with the MM app process but I'd still like to have them and so would my current eye Dr. Those records are in Cali.Sb

 

Shoot SB, I apologize. I jumped to the conclusion it was a Michigan doc, so not much of that will help, lol. I don't know anything about California law.

 

Well, that's not entirely true, I have heard something about them having some kind of law legalizing medical marijuana, or some crazy notion like that.

 

I still would think, however, the clinic having your records idea would hold up. You also might be able to do a google search for the California licensing bureau for physicians and see if they have a site where you can look up physicians, like Michgan does

[+Silverblue]

OK, thanks. I'll see what I can find out and share it here.

Sb