In a message dated 97-08-24 04:11:13 EDT, (Michael Sachs) writes: > This brings up a good question I've not seen addressed previously: > charging for copying medical records. We never do for a routine change > to another office (for whatever the reason), or if a consultant needs the > notes. We've found that when we give patients copies, they frequently get misplaced, and we then get another request for the same records. Our current policy is that there is no charge for copying and sending records to another physician--whether it's a consultant or another pediatrician here or elsewhere. If the parents want their own copy, or plan to take it with them where ever they are going, then we charge for the copies. I don't remember the charge, but the local medical society and bar association came up with some type of standard charge for copying records--like $1.00 per page for the first few pages, then .25 or .50 per page--something like that. When we tell them the policy, most want us to forward the copies directly. In Florida, it's permissible to charge, but illegal to withhold records if a patient can't pay. > > And what about insurance companies? We'll get reimbursed when a company > requests complete records for the purpose of determining insurability > when a family applies for a new policy, but what about when a company > requests office notes to determine benefits for one or more office > visits? Especially if it's a contracted PPO which can sit on the claim > forever until they get the requested information. I think most insurance companies will pay for copies of records. > Regarding referring a family to a new doc before a move: I really don't > know pediatricians outside of L.A., so I'll copy a page from the AAP > directory if asked, but that's not much different from looking for "FAAP" > in the local yellow pages. I usually suggest asking a family member or > friend in the new area, and if they don't know anyone I suggest they > start looking around quickly. My patients also know they can always call > after they move and I'll do what I can over the phone if they don't have > a new provider yet (and sometimes even after they do). And although > having the chart is of course nice when seeing a new patient, we all see > new patients, families on vacation, etc. and frequently have to just wing > it. > I also will copy pages out of the AAP directory, and try to impress them with the fact that these are all board certified (or eligible) pediatricians. Even though it's the same as looking for FAAP in the yellow pages, they at least leave my office with a list of names, so they don't feel like they're totally lost in a new place. I've done this for patients going on vacation, too. Of course, if I do happen to know anyone in that area, I'll tell them that, too. I've had several patients on vacation see friends of mine in other parts of the state. They are really thrilled to be able to see a private pediatrician, and not go to an ER. Moshe Adler, MD