Charging YOU for YOUR Medical Records...

I get this complaint a lot.  "Why the F*#( am I paying $25 for MY medical records?"

Because you requested them in writing....

Here's the law.  I've quote the specific statute:

Can a doctor charge me for copies of my medical records or x-rays?

Yes, pursuant to Health & Safety Code section 123110, a doctor can charge 25 cents per page plus a reasonable clerical fee. For diagnostic films, such as an x-ray, MRI, CT and PET scans, you can be charged the actual cost of copying the films. This only applies if you have made a written request for a copy of your medical records to be provided to you.

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What if my doctor won't give me a copy of my records?

As long as you requested your medical records in writing, to be sent directly to you (and not to anyone else, like your new doctor), the physician is required to send you a copy within specified time limits. If you are having difficulty getting your records, you can file a complaint with the Medical Board. If we can substantiate the complaint, as the physician's licensing agency, the Board will take the appropriate action against the physician's license for failing to provide the records within the legal time limit.

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Does a doctor have to give me a copy of reports or records he got from me or from other doctors?

The guidelines from the California Medical Association indicate that physicians must provide anything that they are maintaining in the medical record for you (as the patient), which includes records from other providers. So, for example, you should be able to receive a copy of a specialist's consultation report from your primary care physician, since he/she has incorporated it as a part of your medical chart. You don't need "special permission" from the specialist nor do you need to obtain this report only from the specialist.

May seem like a boondoggle, just trying to get more money out of you...and yes, you're right.

Changing the Selection Committee's Decision

I know I use this analogy often, but getting declined by an insurance company is similar to getting dropped from the A side. Bloody sucks.

However, one Rugby player decided to get a bit aggressive. He contacted all his physicians. He simply asked if and when his records with the office were updated. He discovered that while the Doctors gave him a clean bill of health, the office management failed to update the charts.

Meaning, the insurance company didn't see the latest info on the Rugger.

A few Doctors were pissed. Good. I'm beginning to be a fan of electronic record keeping, and having DIRECT patient access to those records. (Who's got info on this?)

We re-faxed the updated records to the underwriting department today. They were in AWE.

"Really? This, this and this...all gone?"

"All gone..." as my Son would say regarding a cookie or a hot dog after inhaling them.

Once we have a decision, I'll inform the "populace."

Getting Back on the Pitch: Dealing with a Decline due to "Unresolved" Medical Conditions

My whole focus is getting you on the pitch.  Whether it's Health Insurance, or insurance for a business or league, I just wanted as many people as possible playing Rugby.

Many times, a decline is due to an "unresolved" medical condition.  Basically, your Doctor didn't write a note at the end of your records stating that you're "cured."  (I know, I know, silly.  But that's how it is...)

The simple solution is to contact the office manager of the doctor's office, and explain the situation.  Typically, you'll be either asked to come for a check up, or the MD will just amend the records.

Next, tell the insurance company to RE-request your APS', or, attending physician statements.  Follow up, because they move at the speed of smell.

If you have a challenge, give us a call.

Medical Histories can cross partners...

This has happened to clients more than once... bloody scary.

One applies for insurance.  I don't know how, but the insurance company ends up with the OTHER partners medical information and bases the decision on the wrong history.

Twice...with the same couple...with the same company...as if they didn't get it the first time.  Dumbasses!

Anyway, here's the solution:  Go buy a 12MB finger drive.  Put all your medical info on it.  One, you control your records, and you can see what's in them, but two, you can make sure that the insurance company gets your info, and ONLY your info.

Twice...really?

Visiting the Medical Service Provider Forced the Release of Records

The harassment worked.

At 5am this morning, the Medical Service Provider released the records that we had request back in September. A simple reminder of how they were breaking the law by releasing a complete set of records (We were missing a few "items") seemed to motivate them.

Of course, in the office, they played dumb. "It's in process." "Did we receive the form?" "Was the fee paid?"

Yes...Moron.

So, I will determine how to best deal with this type of situation, and also find a service that retrieves YOUR medical records for a nominal fee.

A Fee for MY OWN Records?

A client was asked by his doctor for a FEE to obtain a copy of his OWN medical records.

A client, who works for a Medical Service Provider, used his own company's services. They want a FEE for his medical records.

Ridiculous!

600 Billion is wasted on paperwork in Health Care.

That's more than the peace time budget of the Pentagon.

(I'll cite that later.)

I will find a solution!

Rugby, Health Insurance, and Medical Records

I'm on a new mission.

This time, it's personal.

I fucking hate bureaucracy's that prevent me from providing health and disability insurance to my clients in a timely fashion. Reproducing medical records should not take 2 months. Two weeks, maybe.

I have a solution. I have a mission.

I will help every Rugby player in the US get copies of ALL their medical records. We can either store them on Google's servers, or on a zip/finger drive.

Stay tuned...

Stupid Medical Records Tricks...

I'm totally stealing this idea of Stupid ______ Tricks from Insure Blog.

Rugby player applies for Health Insurance. Insurance company contracts a medical records retrieval service to get copies of the Players medical records.

The Retrieval company calls the MD, who refers them to ANOTHER service that handles these types of requests. The MD's company demands $90 from the retrieval company, but the insurance company only gives the retrieval company $50 to get the records.

Did that make any freakin' sense?

IE, because of $40, a small bar tab, or quick meal for two at the Rugby pub, or a pair of Rugby shorts and socks, NOBODY MOVES.

The Insurance Company already has it's Retrieval Company on contract, with a $50 budget.

Dr. X doesn't want his staff wasting time faxing records to insurance companies, so he's farmed that out. That company contracted with the MD wants $90 to do it's job.

Solution: Have the PI call the MD and DEMAND a copy of his records, which he's entitled to at any time, and have that faxed to the Retrieval company which will then move that info to the insurance company.

And, that, is a STUPID Medical Records Trick...

Your Medical Information is wanted by the Mob

Please very careful with your medical info, especially insurance card information.

Bad enough the buggers are looking for SSNs and pin numbers.

Monday Quick Hits

Spending YOUR Money

Your healthcare future was discussed in San Diego. As consumer driven healthcare grows exponentially, you'll be using these partners to determine where YOUR healthcare dollars are spent. RI wants you spend the least amount of money. Rugby players are poor. ;)

Speed: Good for Rugby, Good for Medical Information

Imagine a records systems that was both accurate and private. Information, especially history, is essential for you in an emergency situation. Remember the magic envelope? That big 'ol Maori Number 8 isn't so scary...well...okay...he's still pretty scary.

Hey Doc, This is what I think of you...

Good Rugby coaches want feedback, and are not afraid of criticism. Let's see how the doctor's fair. Zagat's great for chow and smiles. I'm sure it'll be the same for stitches and reset limbs.

Rugby Insurance is needed to play Rugby. And as the game's laws are messed with, so are the healthcare laws. Stay on top of it, get in the know, and score multiple tries.

What does your MD (Coach) think of you?

Your coaches opinion determines your starting status and sometimes, position.

Your MDs opinion determines your Insurability. If your MD has bad things written down, or has not updated the bad things as fixed things, the insurance company you applied to will think the worst and decline you.

Here's how you fix it. Call the Officer Mgr. for your MD. Tell them your about to apply for health insurance, and if you could get a copy of your records. They might balk a bit, so be aggressive. Look it over. If you see any "unresolved" issues, ask that the records be updated.

Example: You've lost weight, but haven't been to your MD since the weight loss. So Dr. Smith has you at 265, when your 195. Insurance company will see the discrepancy between what you wrote on the app with your MD records, and that's not good for you.

A check up is an HSA qualified expense, and most Employer Sponsored plans have one free physical a year. Go get one. Update your medical records. Then apply for your own insurance plan.

Don't let the opinion or laziness of others deny you healthcare.