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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Sorry this is long...
I really don't like my PCP but have been going there for years so I never looked elsewhere. The last time I went was a week and a half ago because I was feeling lightheaded (it was ear infection related). The Dr. said that I should schedule to get bloodwork done and a physical since I've never had one before in all the years i've been going there. We had this issue before with DH where they told him to get bloodwork/physical done and our insurance billed us because it turns out, they don't cover routine physicals over age 19. Anyway I called and I requested that I get a RX for bloodwork to take to a Quest Lab so I could go at my convenience (and because i know Quest takes my insurance) and they were insistent on me coming in to get the bloodwork and a physical there. I told them that my insurance does not cover physicals.. they told me to come in for bloodwork anyway but their times were really inconvenient for me. I can only go on Saturdays and the only appts they had were in over a month in the afternoon (and this is for fasting bloodwork). They finally said, OK we will write you the RX to go to Quest for the bloodwork, but then told me that I would have to come back in a month (when they would have given me the bloodwork appt) for a follow up visit, otherwise they would not release the bloodwork results to me... I realize they are just probably trying to make money but, can they do this? It doesn't seem right to me.
Message edited 3/28/2013 1:10:42 PM.
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Posted 3/28/13 1:04 PM  |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
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Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
I don't know the legalities but it seems ridiculous!!!!
I would look into a new dr!
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| Posted 3/28/13 1:12 PM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
They're part of your medical records, so no they can't. They can charge you a small fee to copy them for you but they can't keep ANY of your records from you, including xray results, bloodwork etc.
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| Posted 3/28/13 1:12 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Absolutely not. You are entitled to know the results of your lab work. A nurse can tell you over the phone if there is no abnormality.
As an aside, are you sure your insurance doesn't cover physicals? That seems bizarre to me since they all seem to promote preventative wellness. I would check uf you aren't positive.
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| Posted 3/28/13 1:15 PM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
I thought so...I really need a new PCP!
ETA: to the poster that asked about the physicals, DH just got one done this past August and the doc billed us, we called insurance and they kept saying per our plan they do not cover routine physicals over the age of 19... sounds silly to me especially since its preventative!
Message edited 3/28/2013 1:20:08 PM.
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| Posted 3/28/13 1:18 PM |
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Mariabella
LIF Adult
Member since 4/10 951 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
When I have gone to Quest I have requested that they send me a copy of the blood results. I would try calling them & then take that to a new PCP.
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| Posted 3/28/13 1:29 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
They can't keep them from you but they can absolutely not give you the results over the phone.
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| Posted 3/28/13 2:04 PM |
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KaKa2323
Got my miracle
Member since 9/11 1465 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Posted by tara73
They're part of your medical records, so no they can't. They can charge you a small fee to copy them for you but they can't keep ANY of your records from you, including xray results, bloodwork etc.
THIS! Your records are your property
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| Posted 3/28/13 2:49 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Posted by JDubs
I realize they are just probably trying to make money but, can they do this? It doesn't seem right to me.
I don't think it's that they are trying to make money. Every doctor wants records and proof someone is well, and that is documented by a well visit full physical. Most doctors will have an issue if you just come in for illnesses, yet never give them the full picture on you with a complete physical and bloodwork. KWIM? If you go in and are sick, and they prescribe meds, they have no idea ofwhat your kidney function, liver function,CBC counts are etc.
So I just think they want to get a bigger picture of your health after all these years.
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| Posted 3/28/13 3:00 PM |
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Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Most Dr's have a policy of not discussing bloodwork over the phone even if normal due to HIPPA. How can they be certain who they are talking to.
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| Posted 3/28/13 4:16 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Do you have emblemhealth? I do but my plan includes a physical. I have had several dr say they don't offer physicals I think under 40 or something like that. They told me they can code the visit differently but I didn't need to. Maybe you could work that out?
They can't withold your results but they can say they won't see patients without physicals.
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| Posted 3/28/13 4:42 PM |
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Jugglemom
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/12 809 total posts
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Posted by Goobster
Posted by JDubs
I realize they are just probably trying to make money but, can they do this? It doesn't seem right to me.
I don't think it's that they are trying to make money. Every doctor wants records and proof someone is well, and that is documented by a well visit full physical. Most doctors will have an issue if you just come in for illnesses, yet never give them the full picture on you with a complete physical and bloodwork. KWIM? If you go in and are sick, and they prescribe meds, they have no idea ofwhat your kidney function, liver function,CBC counts are etc.
So I just think they want to get a bigger picture of your health after all these years.
This is true. Our pcp will not see us for sick visits if we don't get annual physicals. It is a huge liability issue for them. Not to mention they are so important!
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| Posted 3/28/13 10:54 PM |
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Momma2Be
Mommy of an angel
Member since 10/09 5911 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Posted by Jugglemom
Posted by Goobster
Posted by JDubs
I realize they are just probably trying to make money but, can they do this? It doesn't seem right to me.
I don't think it's that they are trying to make money. Every doctor wants records and proof someone is well, and that is documented by a well visit full physical. Most doctors will have an issue if you just come in for illnesses, yet never give them the full picture on you with a complete physical and bloodwork. KWIM? If you go in and are sick, and they prescribe meds, they have no idea ofwhat your kidney function, liver function,CBC counts are etc.
So I just think they want to get a bigger picture of your health after all these years.
This is true. Our pcp will not see us for sick visits if we don't get annual physicals. It is a huge liability issue for them. Not to mention they are so important!
While this is all true and I agree with having an annual well visit, they can't hold her labwork results ransom, for lack of a better term. That is a direct violation of HIPAA.
I would ask Quest if they could send you a copy of the results as well. If not, then I would send a letter to your PCP asking for a copy of your medical records once the lab results are in. You can Google 'HIPAA compliant medical record release form' to use as a template. Be prepared to pay up to .75 cents/page (maximum allowed by law in NYS) plus postage. They have to provide you your records within 30 days. If they still give you a hard time, I would contact your insurance company.
Good luck!
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| Posted 3/28/13 11:33 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Posted by Momma2Be
I would ask Quest if they could send you a copy of the results as well.
Good luck!
Quest and/or any lab will not release results to the patient. It must go to the ordering physician.
Message edited 3/29/2013 12:04:15 AM.
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| Posted 3/29/13 12:04 AM |
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CAMCaps
Live Laugh Love Run
Member since 6/07 4922 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
I do not believe that they can hold your records from you.
Posted by Lillykat
Do you have emblemhealth? I do but my plan includes a physical. I have had several dr say they don't offer physicals I think under 40 or something like that. They told me they can code the visit differently but I didn't need to. Maybe you could work that out?
ITA with this statement. Work with the billing department so that they will code it so that it is covered. My DH has fought many battles to get things to be considered preventative care which is 100% covered - otherwise we have to pay 100% out of pocket until we reach our deductible.
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| Posted 3/29/13 8:27 AM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
Posted by Lillykat
Do you have emblemhealth? I do but my plan includes a physical. I have had several dr say they don't offer physicals I think under 40 or something like that. They told me they can code the visit differently but I didn't need to. Maybe you could work that out?
They can't withold your results but they can say they won't see patients without physicals.
Yes, I do have emblemhealth/GHI, for some reason though the plan I'm under does not cover routine physicals so I guess I have to see if I can have it marked down as something else, in order to get it covered.
Thanks for the feedback, all.
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| Posted 3/29/13 8:48 AM |
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Re: Can a Dr. keep bloodwork results from you?
They can charge you for copies, and almost all offices do, but they can't refuse your request altogether. There can be a very limited exception if they think that knowing what is in your records is dangerous to your mental condition. Usually that issue only comes up in reference to a psychiatrist's notes. Even in that case the doctor will eventually lose that battle.
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| Posted 3/30/13 12:55 AM |
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