Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Reminder (s) Get copies! Get Copies! Get Copies!

Sue, you're one smart cookie, so you've probably already looked into this, but just in case:

I googled NY State Health Regulations (that's linked) on the subject and this is what I found:

New York State law requires all health care practitioners and facilities to grant patients access to their own medical records. Section 18 of the Public Health Law contains procedures for making these records available and the conditions under which a provider can deny access. Patients may request information, in writing, as may parents or guardians who have authorized their child's care.

...

If you have been denied access to all or part of your records, you may appeal to the New York State Department of Health Medical Records Access Review Committee. The hospital/doctor is required to provide a form (DOH-1989) that gives the reason(s) for denial and information on this appeals process, or contact your local office of the New York State Department of Health.


Here's a link to what I think is a legal website that has the State regulation: ONECLE.com

Your GP is breaking the law as I understand it. Go get him, tiger.

Warm hugs,

First and most importantly. Very good to see you Pam sorry to hear that you had to go through that stuff. Good advice about getting your records.

Second and much more foolishly, yet more my speed. In accord with my AS theory of survival; which is Dany, Deny, Deny; I suggest getting your records and them altering a set of them. Touch up x-rays. Appropriate copy and use white out to eliminate lots of the words like pronounced degeneration, fusion and such. Put in some glowing remarks and add the word unremarkable in lots of places because being radiiologically unremarkable is fairly remarkable after decades with AS.

Then on bad days pull out the "rejuvenated" reports and x-rays and reassure yourself that you feel fine and can KickAS if anyone tries to stop you.

I guess just in case I could save a copy of the actual reports if Doc needs some clarification. Of course that wold require me going to a doctor.

thanks cs, rumble, and kat,

yes, you are all correct. there are ways of getting what we request, but it is often a pain in the butt. and the old GP knew that and think ignored some of the HIPPA laws to make my life easier, but this new GP seems to be completely by the book. can't blame him, but don't have to like it.

think i will go through the official channels, request ALL of my file, through the hospital, pay for it, see what is still missing. see if they have to give me the notes sent from other doctors to them or only the notes that they generate. then will go to the other hospital, through which some of my specialists practice. see what i can get through that route.

i still like the idea of everything becoming electronic and then us having a secret login to access our files. that would make life so easy.

then again, like steve's ideas too!

I am just tickled pink that my Rheumy has me and my GP CC copies of all x-rays, MRI's and all my labs. I just got my blood test results in the mail today. He is great.
Donna

I have a friend who is a retired nurse and she has been harping on me for a year about getting my D levels checked. She is pretty smug right now LOL.
I didn't realize how many things can be caused by low vitamin D levels. It took a good month or so to really feel better, but I am so glad that I am able to take it.

Glad you gave a copy to your GP. It doesn't matter what test I get or what doctor orders it, I always have them send my oncologist and my GP a copy. And they both know me so well that whenever I am in, they hand me a copy before we even talk about the results.
I hope you can get some answers soon.

Take care,
Pam

Hi Micki,
Thank you and nice to meet you too.
I really need to get a new picture on here. The picture of my boys is about 8 years old now. I still think they are pretty cute though... well.. most of the time anyway! LOL

Have a great day
Pam

Thanks Steve.
I hope all is going well with you.

Thanks Kat,
Warm hugs right back atcha! I hope you are having better days?

It can be a pain Sue, that is for sure. I am fortunate that the doctors I see on a regular basis know me very well and are used to just giving me copies of everything. When I get any tests done anywhere I make sure to ask that they both get copies. That makes it much easier for me to get a copy instead of trying to get one from the labs themselves.
I hope you can get some answers. No one should have to fight to get copies of any of their medical records.