Tell Me Again Why I Have to Pay for My Own Set of Medical Records

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In today’s business world, does everyone have to nickel and dime us?  I would certainly love to see patients be able to get their own set of medical records without paying a fee.

Airlines charge extra for luggage and leg room.  Resorts charge extra for parking and a “resort fee” (whatever that is), and universities charge you extra for your own set of transcripts.

But isn’t this different because it can be a matter of life or death?  Why do healthcare businesses have to charge a “processing” (aka medical records) fee in the first place?  Don’t we pay enough for that airline seat, vacation, college and now healthcare?

According to the Forbes article dated February 9, 2017 “Are You Paying Too Much For Your Medical Records?” the author asks a very good question: How can access to your own medical records be “easy” when you have to pay hundreds of dollars (money you don’t have) for them?

Portals are not the answer either.  In the same article, the author quotes cardiologist, Dr. Krumholz and his co-authors, “Patient portals can render less information than a full medical record, often missing clinical notes and images,” among other things…”

Providers deal with fragmented medical records every day. Perhaps this is another reason medical mistakes kill thousands of patients every year. Patient Best® can attest to this.  Patients who own their own complete Patient Best® Medical History Book have more clarity, transparency, and discussion with their personal physician than those who do not.

Some healthcare facilities will not charge you if you request your records be sent to your attorney or another doctor not listed in their system.  Perhaps these folks will get them and give you a copy of your records for free.

Or better yet, why don’t health insurance companies pay this fee? After all, owning your own Patient Best® Medical History Book means safe, accurate care, and better outcomes at less redundant costs.

Suzanne Fiscella, PA-C writes for www.patientbest.com

About the Author

Do you feel frustrated with your medical care? Do doctors spend 5 minutes with you, push you out of the office, with you wondering what's going to happen? Does your insurance deny paying? You're not alone. I'm frustrated, too. This is a growing trend in healthcare. Having seen pre-insurance medicine (yes, my dad was an old country doctor), I grew up watching him spend time with his patients, giving them the best care he had to offer. I saw families trust him to help them through hospitalizations and the next crisis. As a patient advocate, my job is to see that you get the right diagnosis, the right treatment plans, and the right supplies and education to make good decisions about your health. More importantly, I will teach you the tricks of the healthcare trade. We need more healthcare consumer protection, especially for chronic illnesses like diabetes. This is what I am passionate about. I make it happen every day with thousands of patients who now know what I know about beating the healthcare system and getting the best patient care...Patient Best.

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