I provide this URL first as it provides access to individual states laws

http://hpi.georgetown.edu/privacy/records.html

Usually, all that is needed is a written or verbal request and that you sign a Release of Information to yourself. If you encounter a rather reluctant medical facility or doctor the following should help you get the copies you want.

This site provides some information on the limitations to access to copies of your medical records at one university

http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/hipaa/policies/rights.html

Some of which are

The patient may only access, inspect, and/or obtain a copy of his/her PHI in a "designated record set." The designated record set does not include, and the patient may not access:

Psychotherapy notes about the patient;

Personal notes and observations about the patient created by a health care provider (provided such notes and observations are not included in the patient's medical record);

PHI that is compiled in reasonable anticipation of, or for use in, a civil, criminal, or administrative action or proceeding; and

PHI that is subject to the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments of 1988 (CLIA).

The patient's provider can provide a summary of the patient's PHI in lieu of granting access to all the patient's PHI if, in the professional judgment of the patient's provider, providing the patient with unlimited access to his/her PHI would endanger the life or physical safety of the patient or another person.

That "designated record set" is the battle I recently had to fight for. A sleep center was maintaining that the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs is excluded from that "designated record set". Thankfully, my original sleep center was not so paranoid about their records and I've had no difficulties getting these full reports from them. I haven't given up yet, tho, on obtaining that report from the recalcitrent sleep center. The more I am denied access the more determined I become to gain access and a copy!

This URL is access to a privacy rights orgnization

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs8-med.htm#E

and lastly the government website

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/index.html


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

After a night with the dog at the emergency clinic (he is fine) I'm exhausted, but I'll make this a sticky somewhere tomorrow.

Thank Crohnie!!

Vicki


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Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
Marilyn Von Savant

That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Ah, Vicki, thanks for letting us know your dog is fine. I would have hated it if you had left us hanging and would have had to PM you to find out. I'm so glad all is well. Our last visit to an emergency clinic for one of our dogs was almost as expensive as an ER visit for one of us humans!!


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

I'm currently having issues with a doctor not releasing a personal copy of my medical records to me. As a result, I reported the doctor to HIPAA. They have been very helpful in retrieving a copy of my records. It's always best to make every effort to cooperate with your doctor to resolve obtaining a copy of your patient records; however, if they deny you agents that work at HIPAA can help. To get your records you should submit the request to your provider in writing and ask for a copy of the request signed received.
Financial Charges
A provider cannot deny you a copy of your records because you have not paid for the services you have received.  Even so, a provider may charge for the reasonable costs for copying and mailing the records.  The provider cannot charge you a fee for searching for or retrieving your records.

The link for HIPAA is
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html


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Finger Oximeter

Your WRITTEN request should be sent via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. Keep all Certification receipts and the green signed Return Receipt card as well as a copy of your WRITTEN request. The doctor or facility then has 30 days in which to provide them or respond.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.