"Dr Judy" <mpace99@rogers.com> wrote in news:1169670486.177400.164900@
13g2000cwe.googlegroups.com:

In the US, I'm pretty sure it would be a HIPAA violation to withold medical
records pending payment of fees, other than copying.

We seldom charge either as I usually just provide a short record
summary recording most recent lens in use to the new doc.  In one or
two cases where the patient wanted the whole record sent we charged $10
plus $0.10/ page copying.

My mother faced a $40 charge to get a copy of her 40+ year records when
her family doctor retired.

I forgot in the earlier post that transfer only applies if the fit was
completed.  If still in process and no "final" pair of contacts is in
use, the waters a little muddier and any outstanding fitting fees may
need to paid before records are released.

Dr Judy

I wonder how many docs charge for this, and how much is usual.  I never
have, and maybe I'm missing the boat...

Don't know the laws where you live, but in Ontario, Canada, you are
entitled to the information contained in the records but the physical
record belongs to the doctor.  The doctor is required to provide a
summary of the records or a photocopy of them to you upon your request;
you must allow sufffient time for copying and the doctor is allowed to
charge you a fee for copying or for preparing the summary report.

Walking in and demanding will not allow time; call ahead and be
prepared to pay.  If you are switching doctors and don't want to
confront the old doctor, the new doctor can request a summary.  You may
still have a fee to pay the old doctor.

Dr Judy

Would it be reasonable to request all my RGP contact fitting
information from my previous doc, including topographies?  I'd like to
just walk in there and get them, but I'm not sure if they'll give me
trouble.

I wonder the same about general medical records actually.  Can I walk
into the hospital and just say "give me my file"?

--