Getting hospital records

[ani'smommy]

Has anyone done this?

I am trying to get my records from Anneke's birth two years ago, but it is taking FOREVER. First they sent me a form to request the records, so I filled that out. Then about 3 weeks later they sent me another form saying that I had to pay for the records and a place to fill out my credit card number. Now it's been another 3 weeks. I'm starting to wonder if I'm ever going to get them.

Not to mention, it really makes me mad that a patient's records aren't give to him/her at discharge. I mean, legally, they are mine, right? And having to pay $70 dollars for them?!

[BoGiBoBo]

Holy cow, $70???

My midwife told me to have them sent to her, otherwise I might get charged, so that is what I did. I didn't think it would be that much though. I would call them everyday and pester them about it. The sqeaky wheel gets the grease.

Good luck!

[ani'smommy]

Shoot, I didn't even think of having them sent to her!

Yeah, I'll would call them, but apparently the records are in another building in another STATE, so I'm not really sure who to call. The hospital, I guess.

[lolar2]

If there are a lot of records, the $70 could be a copying fee. That is legal.

[ani'smommy]

I guess I don't know how many pages it is, but I was only there for one day -- induced vaginal delivery because of late onset pre-e. No other complications. And another $30 for Anneke's records. Argh.

[applejuice]

I think you are being given the grand run around. If there are that many pages to read, your new HCP will need time to go over them before your next baby comes.

Tell them you want YOUR medical/birth records NOW. And then ask if a letter from an attorney will expedite the process.

[mwherbs]

a complete hospital record can be quiet lengthy, a summary is what most people read when they get their doctor's record of the birth and prenatal care.
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there are laws in my state that have to do with storage and access... anyhow they should be able to tell you how long it will take-- they might be dragging their feet to see if you have a lawyer....

[ericswifey27]

Originally Posted by applejuice

I think you are being given the grand run around. If there are that many pages to read, your new HCP will need time to go over them before your next baby comes.

Tell them you want YOUR medical/birth records NOW. And then ask if a letter from an attorney will expedite the process.

Yes, make them aware that you know your rights. In California they have 15 days from the time of request to furnish your records. They end up taking 20 something days, and that was with me hounding them. They did not end up charging me although the paperwork I signed said they might.

At this point it has been 6 weeks since you first asked for your records, right? I would call them daily (I had to call 5 times before they figured out I wasn't going to stop bothering them) . Also, I would ask that they waive their $70 fee due to their untimely processing and point out again that they are out of compliance. I also asked them if a letter from an attorney would help

Good luck!

Amy