Doctor's Indifference

[Robin_R365]

I notified my doctor over two weeks ago that I was completely tanked and wanted to try combination therapy of Synthroid/Cytomel.  I have extreme brain fog, extreme fatigue, hair loss, etc.  Already had to take a leave of absence from school.  I told this doctor that I was afraid for my job.  Took me almost two weeks for her to order the right blood tests. Was not going to test the T3 at all and then ordered a total T3.  I was able to contact her office and they did add on a Free T3.  This was last Tuesday that I had blood drawn.  She was in the office on Friday of last week and yesterday.  I have not heard one single word.  I have sent her faxes and her assistant.  No one will reply.  At this point I just want my labs and I will call it a day.  How do I get them to turn over the labs?  I have left messages every day, sent faxes.  

I guess I am really just amazed that a fellow human being would let another one suffer if they could do something to help.  I literally begged her to help me. Now I have no idea when she is in the office again.  I have an appointment with a GP who states she will allow me the combination therapy and I wanted to take my labs with me. I think the doctor has to release them?  How do I get my labs?

[blsdnsvd]

I would suggest that you go into the office and request a copy, even if you have to wait for them. I cannot understand why they do not pick up the calls, when they are in the office.

My 1st endo specifically told me to: find another doctor if i'm not satisfied with the way she treats me, and I did!  I am satisfy with the current one either, therefore I may be looking at another switch. You gotta do what you have to in order to get results.

[Robin_R365]

No they do not answer the phones.  I call and leave messages, I send faxes, I even email.  This has been going on since the 2nd of this month.  I have been attempting to get symptom relief.  Took two weeks to get lab orders.  They did the labs on Tuesday and they had them back the next day.  Doctor was in on Friday last week and Monday of this week.  I sent multiple faxes "please help me".  She did not call.  She really is great as long as you get labs and come in for office visit.  She usually is very thorough.  Unfortunately since I am asking her to treat my symptoms with T3 I think this has ruffled her feathers.  I have a new doctor coming up in three weeks.  At this point I think I will settle for being miserable, I just want my labs.  Even if the doctor did not sign off on the results the Assistant could let me know that.  She usually faxes the results so every day I call, fax, and email.  No response at all.  Once I get my results I am going to file a complaint against this office.  They are part of our University Hospital.  Supposed to be top-notch.  This one isn't I guess.

[blsdnsvd]

Are they not answering the phone at all???? Seems like you can say: I would like to stop by to pick up my labs, can you please have them ready??...The only thing is: the doc has to review the labs and notify you if any problems before releasing a copy to you, I've been there before. It should take 3-4 days for them to receive the results from the lab and then the doc has to find time to read them, so I'd say no more than 1 weeks for you to get a copy....

[Robin_R365]

My apologies. I am not sure why I assumed that...lol

[gimel]

Now why do you assume that active members must be ladies?  LOL  I'm

[Robin_R365]

Great posts ladies. I think I will use both of them. Watch for me on the news.....:)

[gimel]

Good info from Red_ Star.  To speed things up, if you can get to the doctor's office easily, I think I'd just go and stand in front of the doctor's desk person and ask for a copy of your test results and keep standing there until they comply.  If they give you trouble, just remind them of the legal requirements and speak loudly enough that everyone in the office can hear you.  LOL

[Red_Star]

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) gives you the right to see your medical records.  Ohio laws also give you rights in your medical record.  In most cases, copies of your medical records must be provided to you within 30 days of your written request. This may be extended another 30 days but it is required that you be given a reason for the delay. Some records may be withheld and not provided to you. Eg: records that the provider deems may be harmful to you. If you are refused, then the provider must make that clear in writing.

There may be a fee involved. In Ohio, your provider can charge you no more the following:

Costs per page -  $2.50 for 1 - 10 pages
Cost per page - 51c for 11 - 50 pages
Cost per page - 20c for 51 or more pages

These fees are effective through December 31, 2008. You also can be charged the actual cost of postage, shipping, or delivery if you have the copy sent to you.

Sample letter:

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]

[Name of care provider or facility]
[Address]

RE: [Your medical identification number or other identifier used]

Dear

The purpose of this letter is to request copies of my medical records as allowed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Department of Health and Human Services regulations.

I was treated in your office [at your facility] between [fill in dates]. I request copies of the following [or all] health records related to my treatment.

[Identify records requested, e.g. medical history form you provided; physician and nurses' notes; test results, consultations with specialists; referrals.]

[Note: HIPAA also allows you to request a summary of your medical records. If you prefer a summary, you should agree to a fee beforehand.]

I understand you may charge a reasonable fee for copying the records, but will not charge for time spent locating the records. Please mail the requested records to me at the above address. [If you request that the records be mailed, you may also be charged for postage.]*

I look forward to receiving the above records within 30 days as specified under HIPAA. If my request cannot be honored within 30 days, please inform me of this by letter as well as the date I might expect to receive my records*.

Sincerely,



[Your signature]
[Your name printed]

*Under HIPAA you can be charged a reasonable fee for copying records. You may also be charged for postage if you ask that records be mailed to you. HIPAA allows 30 days for a provider to respond to your request for records, with one 30-day extension for good reason.

Your state laws may include a lower fee for copies of records or a shorter time for the provider to respond to your request. The Georgetown University Center on Medical Rights and Privacy includes state-specific guides for 32 states.