Can my doctor sell my patient file back to me?

[GP_Matt]

Thanks Hesla,

I suppose they will argue that the fee is reasonable. When I get home I will look into the third party. If they seem legitimate I guess I have to accept it.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Hesla

That is for referrals or phone consultations. And you still have to document it.

You do have to have the patient sign a consent to release information form to get old records.

Pretty sure it's different for doctors, pharmacists than for optometrists and dentists. For example, if I have a request for patient info from a dentist or optometrist, I need a consent form. I don't need one of a doctor requests it

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Pretty sure it's different for doctors, pharmacists than for optometrists and dentists. For example, if I have a request for patient info from a dentist or optometrist, I need a consent form. I don't need one of a doctor requests it

That could be.. I just assumed it was the same rules across all regulated health professions.

[cracher]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

Thanks Hesla,

I suppose they will argue that the fee is reasonable. When I get home I will look into the third party. If they seem legitimate I guess I have to accept it.

$100 is very reasonable. When i get insurance lawyers/ambulance chasers requesting charts, I bill out more than that.

This probably holds more true for older practitioners near retirement (more likely to have paper charts). The cost to convert to e-charting is huge, despite the deal AHS swung with a couple of software companies a few years back. It is very expensive to securely store thousands and thousands of paper charts, to have someone retrieve them, to have someone photocopy...

[Drury18]

Huh, I wasn't aware of all the rules.

When my family doctor retired, he actually gave my entire original patient file to my Mother who was also a patient of his. I was 24 when he retired.

[GP_Matt]

My wife spoke to our new doctor and was informed that there is nothing valuable in the file and not to waste money tracking it down.

Now to find out if I trust the company that is holding my personal information. It might be worth the money just to relieve them of the data.

[Ducay]

My Doc retired a couple years ago (really good GP) and did the same thing. I'm still debating whether or not to get the files, but I figure there really isn't anything in there that I can't convey myself (surprise, my back is F'd!).

Just reminds me I need a new GP still.