darren06
05-08-2006, 04:55 AM
Hello I am new here, and I have some questions about medical records. Can anyone answer these questions?
If my medical records are scattered out through different states through different doctors, will it be hard if not impossible to obtain them all?
How do I obtain all my medical records?
Are medical records from your early years of life when you were a child different than when you are 18 and over?
Are medical records from over 5 years ago deleted or achived (possibly on a computer)?
What is listed in my medical records? (e.g. physical health? mental health? what?)
Who keeps track of my medical records?
Are they on a computer?
I thank you for taking the time to read this as I want to know about my medical records. Thanks.
If my medical records are scattered out through different states through different doctors, will it be hard if not impossible to obtain them all?
How do I obtain all my medical records?
Are medical records from your early years of life when you were a child different than when you are 18 and over?
Are medical records from over 5 years ago deleted or achived (possibly on a computer)?
What is listed in my medical records? (e.g. physical health? mental health? what?)
Who keeps track of my medical records?
Are they on a computer?
I thank you for taking the time to read this as I want to know about my medical records. Thanks.
Sponsor
feelbad
05-08-2006, 07:35 AM
hi Darren,as someone who regularly has to update their medical files because of many medical issues that have been going on for quite sometime,I think i can offer you some answers.
first,yes,you can indeed get records from all treating docs and hospitals and any place that has seen you for stuff like MRIs and CTs or other procedures.all you have to do is just call the places you were seen and ask them to send out whats called "a release of information" form.You just fill this out(if you don't remeber exact dates of certain things just tell them that on the form and just ask for anything that is contained in your medical file.if you can give an approx year or years of treatment tho it would speed things up a bit)sign it and send it back to the place you obtained it from.then from anywhere from a few days to about a week,your records from that place should be sitting in your mailbox.
i am not too sure just how far they will actually go back in your files tho.i have gone back as far as five years ago and had no problem obtaining stuff.this would be something to ask each individual place you call to obtain your records,as they may all be very different.
There really isn't one place that keeps track of ALL of your records,like a central type file.you will have to call each individual place that has treated you and do the release thing for each one.its really pretty simple tho.
is there a specific reason that you are needing all of your medical info or you just curious?
I would highly recomend to anyone who has any type of condition/disease process going on,to obtain everything from any place you have been treated(including hospital stays,surgeries and er visits)and just keep on updating them like every six months or so depending on just how often you are seeing any particular doc.I have to see five seperate specialists just for ongoing treatment of different medical issues.this really helps me to try and stay on top of things.
the stuff contained in your records is pretty much standard from place to place.with regard to your primary treating doc,you will be able to obtain any of his or her clinic notes.there are the little paragraphs you will normally see when your file is open and the doc is usually reading about your last visit there?these are tyhe little "summaries" of your appts,as far as your chief complaint(or reason for the visit) and what was discussed and then any treatment plan that was put into place for you to follow.pretty simple stuff.also any test results that may be in there,like bloodwork or other tests such as MRIs and stuff like that.if you have had a specific test done that you really want the results from either ask for that specifically or just say i want a copy of a particular report or ALL test results from such and such a date.you can also obtain like an MRI report from the place where it was done too.
It really is pretty easy to get your records.I know I have never ever had to pay any sort of fee for my records but i have heard from some people that they have had to pay for like the copying costs or other stuff.like I said,I have been obtaining every little document from every single place that has had any type of part in my healthcare over the years(believe me,thats ALOT of records)and have never had to pay one cent for any of it.I really don't know why some places charge fees and some don't tho.I guess its up to the place to decide.But at any rate all you have to do is just call and have them send out that release for you to sign and send it back.
I hope you are not having to gather this stuff because you are suffering some major illness or something.It shouldn't be a problem for you to actually get all of your records tho.If you have any other questions about this,just give me a holler.FB
first,yes,you can indeed get records from all treating docs and hospitals and any place that has seen you for stuff like MRIs and CTs or other procedures.all you have to do is just call the places you were seen and ask them to send out whats called "a release of information" form.You just fill this out(if you don't remeber exact dates of certain things just tell them that on the form and just ask for anything that is contained in your medical file.if you can give an approx year or years of treatment tho it would speed things up a bit)sign it and send it back to the place you obtained it from.then from anywhere from a few days to about a week,your records from that place should be sitting in your mailbox.
i am not too sure just how far they will actually go back in your files tho.i have gone back as far as five years ago and had no problem obtaining stuff.this would be something to ask each individual place you call to obtain your records,as they may all be very different.
There really isn't one place that keeps track of ALL of your records,like a central type file.you will have to call each individual place that has treated you and do the release thing for each one.its really pretty simple tho.
is there a specific reason that you are needing all of your medical info or you just curious?
I would highly recomend to anyone who has any type of condition/disease process going on,to obtain everything from any place you have been treated(including hospital stays,surgeries and er visits)and just keep on updating them like every six months or so depending on just how often you are seeing any particular doc.I have to see five seperate specialists just for ongoing treatment of different medical issues.this really helps me to try and stay on top of things.
the stuff contained in your records is pretty much standard from place to place.with regard to your primary treating doc,you will be able to obtain any of his or her clinic notes.there are the little paragraphs you will normally see when your file is open and the doc is usually reading about your last visit there?these are tyhe little "summaries" of your appts,as far as your chief complaint(or reason for the visit) and what was discussed and then any treatment plan that was put into place for you to follow.pretty simple stuff.also any test results that may be in there,like bloodwork or other tests such as MRIs and stuff like that.if you have had a specific test done that you really want the results from either ask for that specifically or just say i want a copy of a particular report or ALL test results from such and such a date.you can also obtain like an MRI report from the place where it was done too.
It really is pretty easy to get your records.I know I have never ever had to pay any sort of fee for my records but i have heard from some people that they have had to pay for like the copying costs or other stuff.like I said,I have been obtaining every little document from every single place that has had any type of part in my healthcare over the years(believe me,thats ALOT of records)and have never had to pay one cent for any of it.I really don't know why some places charge fees and some don't tho.I guess its up to the place to decide.But at any rate all you have to do is just call and have them send out that release for you to sign and send it back.
I hope you are not having to gather this stuff because you are suffering some major illness or something.It shouldn't be a problem for you to actually get all of your records tho.If you have any other questions about this,just give me a holler.FB
darren06
05-11-2006, 11:36 PM
hi is mental history in your medical records from doctors offices and health places? such as diagnosis as well? or are those different records? also if you have been seen by psycologists and psychaitrists...?
kehorner
05-11-2006, 11:53 PM
If you've been seen by a mental health professional, you will have to contact that office separately to obtain your records. It can be a real pain to track down all of your records. You might not need everything. If you have a particular medical condition, you probably want to get the records pertaining to that. And having records of immunizations is always good.
What I do now is to get copies of all of my test results (blood tests, x-rays, etc). And when I change doctors or move, I get a copy of all of my records. That way I don't have to track them down years later. I had to do that for a few things, and it was a total pain. Most places will mail or fax you the release form, though, which makes things easier. Although some places will not fax records, but only mail them, because of confidentiality.
What I do now is to get copies of all of my test results (blood tests, x-rays, etc). And when I change doctors or move, I get a copy of all of my records. That way I don't have to track them down years later. I had to do that for a few things, and it was a total pain. Most places will mail or fax you the release form, though, which makes things easier. Although some places will not fax records, but only mail them, because of confidentiality.
darren06
05-12-2006, 12:19 AM
Wow so its totally seperate? If you are applying for a job that requries medical files, will they know about your mental health files if they request to get them from the area the mental health professional was in? Do they need to know where the places ar elocated in order to get them? Do places need to know where youve been seen by doctors in order to ge thtem? especially mental health doctors? or can tehy get them from your SSN?
kehorner
05-12-2006, 12:42 AM
What kind of a job are you applying for that they are requiring medical records...? I don't think that's legal.
But no, there is no central way to check out where you have been seen. You would have to provide them with the names and locations of doctors that you have seen. Your records from one doctor may mention that you have been seen by another doctor, if that came up during the visit, or if you requested that your records get sent to that first doctor (generally the referring doctor). And, you would have to fill out a release form anyway, for each doctor's office, authorizing the release of your records to anybody.
But no, there is no central way to check out where you have been seen. You would have to provide them with the names and locations of doctors that you have seen. Your records from one doctor may mention that you have been seen by another doctor, if that came up during the visit, or if you requested that your records get sent to that first doctor (generally the referring doctor). And, you would have to fill out a release form anyway, for each doctor's office, authorizing the release of your records to anybody.
darren06
05-12-2006, 12:48 AM
its a medical job... nothing to weird they just want to know but some stuff i dont think they should because its personal..
kehorner
05-12-2006, 01:00 AM
Job interviewers are not legally allowed to ask if you are taking any prescription medications, if you have a physical or mental disability, or if you have a drug or alcohol problem... So I'm pretty sure that they are not allowed to request any of your past medical records.
They are allowed to conduct a pre-employment physical exam and drug screening, but that doesn't involve gathering past medical records.
I had a job at a hospital and never had any requests like that. The physical and drug screen were routine, and they drew blood to check my immunity (to see if vaccines had taken effect). But no requests for past medical records. The physical was mostly the usual blood pressure, pulse, listen to the chest, feel the abdomen kind of thing.
Also, that physical exam is only done AFTER an offer of employment has been made (and generally accepted...). And the results of the exam are pretty much confidential unless there is something that comes up which would affect your ability to carry out the duties of the job and therefore would require accomodations (under Americans with Disabilities Act).
They are allowed to conduct a pre-employment physical exam and drug screening, but that doesn't involve gathering past medical records.
I had a job at a hospital and never had any requests like that. The physical and drug screen were routine, and they drew blood to check my immunity (to see if vaccines had taken effect). But no requests for past medical records. The physical was mostly the usual blood pressure, pulse, listen to the chest, feel the abdomen kind of thing.
Also, that physical exam is only done AFTER an offer of employment has been made (and generally accepted...). And the results of the exam are pretty much confidential unless there is something that comes up which would affect your ability to carry out the duties of the job and therefore would require accomodations (under Americans with Disabilities Act).
feelbad
05-12-2006, 09:40 AM
kehorner is right.it would be illegal to ask for anyones medical files or anything really that pertains to your personal medical hisory.if they are asking for this type of info,you really really do need to talk with them about why they assume they can even ask this type of stuff.its really none of their business.the only thing they can actually ask is if there is any condition or issue that would effect your overall job performance,or something like that.but they cannot get into your medical files,no way.that i know ,is just not legal.FB
darren06
05-12-2006, 04:29 PM
Hi guys is it true that your medical records are linked to your social and if you entered your social it would show all the doctors and mental professionals you have been too? My sister told me when she worked for the airlines they did this but I dont know if she is lying because I would think you cant just enter your SSN and it shows that...
kehorner
05-12-2006, 05:03 PM
No, your SSN is NOT linked in any way to the doctors you have seen. Also, job interviewers are not even allowed to ask if you have a condition that would prevent you from doing the job duties. They can only ask if you are fully capable of performing the job duties (after explaining them).
darren06
05-15-2006, 12:06 AM
Hi thanks for the info... I recently read about HIPAA... does this mean if someone has authorization they can look at ALL my medical records including my mental health ones? Is the HIPAA a government/electronic database of my health records? What is it? Can this bring up my medical records?
kehorner
05-15-2006, 12:32 AM
No.... it's not a database. It's a piece of legislation. It's designed to protect your privacy, not violate it. That's that piece of paper you sign every time you see a new doctor... it explains how they are complying with not sharing your health information with anybody else. The only people that the doctor's office is authorized to release your medical information to without obtaining a separate consent (because you generally sign this consent at the time of service) is your health insurance company and a referring physician (if you specify one and authorize it). If anybody else calls the doctor, they can't even confirm whether or not you are a patient there.
darren06
05-15-2006, 02:06 AM
So its just to protect your privacy? It cannot look up all of your records? There is no such thing as all your records in one place right? My medical records are not in a database or all together right? It doesn't authorize someone to automatically obtain every single one of your medical records? I just need this answered.
Titchou
05-15-2006, 08:28 AM
No, all your records are not in some huge database somewhere. They are usually only in two places - with the medical professional who provided the service (doctor, hospital, dentist, therapist, etc) and your insurance company. If you sign allowing someone to search your records, they usually ask for those entities names in order to contact them with your permission.
kehorner
05-15-2006, 09:24 AM
I think you greatly overestimate the ability of the government to coordinate such a database. Think about the man-power that would require... It just doesn't exist.
But the real issue here. You have to authorize somebody to look at your medical records. Whether they happen to be widely scattered or not. And in the process of applying for a job, they are not legally allowed to ask you about any medical conditions you have, nor are they allowed to ask to see your medical records. Once they make an offer, they may conduct a physical exam. But that is all. You do not, legally, have to authorize them to look at ANY of your medical records. They are YOUR records. They are PRIVATE. You have the right to keep them that way.
But the real issue here. You have to authorize somebody to look at your medical records. Whether they happen to be widely scattered or not. And in the process of applying for a job, they are not legally allowed to ask you about any medical conditions you have, nor are they allowed to ask to see your medical records. Once they make an offer, they may conduct a physical exam. But that is all. You do not, legally, have to authorize them to look at ANY of your medical records. They are YOUR records. They are PRIVATE. You have the right to keep them that way.
Titchou
05-15-2006, 09:33 AM
Actually, there may be some employment that would require such information...am thinking some governmental agency such as the FBI, CIA, etc. They probably would do a medical background check but they check everything.
darren06
05-27-2006, 03:42 AM
Guys, if you didn't give doctors names or insurance company, is there any way they could get that info? Also if you switched insurance but they get your latest company, will that insurance company have the information of your previous insurance company or no? Thanks for this answer.
Titchou
05-27-2006, 10:00 AM
Probably not to the first question and possibly to the second.
darren06
05-27-2006, 10:49 AM
What do you mean?
Titchou
05-27-2006, 01:11 PM
OK, you are obviously very nervous about this. So,
think of all the information you give on an application and the releases you sign. Among them is most likely a release to run a credit check. Do you have an outstanding bill with a heathcare provider? Did you have a payment dispute with one?
Would there be anything within your credit report that could lead a prospective employer to a healthcare provider? If so, they could get information that way.
If you changed insurance companies and there was some issue about a pre-existing condition, the new insurance company would have that information to give to your prospective employer.
think of all the information you give on an application and the releases you sign. Among them is most likely a release to run a credit check. Do you have an outstanding bill with a heathcare provider? Did you have a payment dispute with one?
Would there be anything within your credit report that could lead a prospective employer to a healthcare provider? If so, they could get information that way.
If you changed insurance companies and there was some issue about a pre-existing condition, the new insurance company would have that information to give to your prospective employer.