What can I do about the doctor who refuses to release my medical records?

Answer by  malone (4817)

Your doctor must release your medical records to you, provided that your account is in good standing. If you owe him money, he can withhold the records. If you want to release the records to a third party, you must have a signed/dated release on file.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

They are your medical records, not his. There may be a legitimate payment for the cost of copying the medical records. If the doctor refuses to release your medical records, contact the state Medical Board and the Better Business Bureau. As a last case resort, ask another doctor to request the records and then give them to you.

Answer by  John (9008)

You are entitled to your records. You can either sue him or report him to the state medical association, which may take disciplinary action against him.

Answer by  Gabriel (2146)

By law, you have the right to your medical records. If your doctor is refusing, there are steps you can take in most states to force compliance. The first step is to make your request in writing, and then continue to keep documentation. Contact your state attorney generals office for steps you can take in your particular state from there.

Answer by  NurseB (513)

You are entitled to your records as long as your account is paid in full. Request a release of information, releassing the information to you, signed, in person. They will not give you the runaround as much as calling or writing. They won't want people in the office to know.

Answer by  cannonball (111)

You more than likely signed documents stating that you would or would not like your records released when you first started seeing your doctor. Review those documents to see exactly what you signed. Take your paperwork to an attorney, he will have the records released to you.

Answer by  johnamaxon (0)

What can I do if my doctors won't release records to excuse my days off? My SSI caseworker? My Disability claim manager? or anyone who requests them. Is this legal? My wife lost her job because he would not send the doctor's statement. What can I do?

Answer by  leah1234 (0)

Do not go to the Medical Board it's the good old boys club. Do yourself a favor and learn to write out a complaint and go to court and sue him for interfering in your treatment and pain and suffing.

Answer by  bghal (0)

sent my doctor a reg letter asking for my records and no reply at all what is my next step

Answer by  Anonymous

This is a common fallacy. A doctor does not have to release medical info to anyone. If he feels the medical info could be dangerous to the pt. then he can withhold the info. This freedom of info is just a big smoke screen. Read the law directly!