The Caring Column
A monthly column designed to help answer your questions.
This month’s feature-
Obtaining Medical Records
Please check back each month for a new topic.
Dear ABTA,
I am interested in obtaining a second opinion for my brain tumor diagnosis, but was told I need to provide the physician with copies of my medical records. Can you please explain how I can obtain and transfer my medical records? Also, should I be keeping a copy of my medical records?
Sincerely,
Looking for Choices
Dear Looking for Choices,
It is a good idea for you to have a copy of your medical records. The laws for obtaining medical records vary by state: some states allow medical records to be released directly to the patient, others require that medical records be sent directly to a consulting physician.
The quickest way to obtain your medical records is from your doctor's office. Pathology, operative, consultation, and scan reports, as well as office visit summaries, are generally part of your medical records. Be aware that there may be a charge for copying and sending this information.
A consulting physician may require your actual scans, not just the written reports. If your doctor does not have the scans, call the hospital’s Radiology Department where the scan was done. MRI, CT, fMRI and PET scans can all be copied. Since there is a sizeable fee to copy scans, get a specific list of which scans the doctor will need. Once you receive the scans, make sure you mail the copies. Never send an original scan through the mail!
Some hospitals store reports and scans in electronic or digital files. These files can be transferred electronically, copied onto a CD or printed as traditional records. The consulting doctor can tell you which version is preferred.
Before providing copies of hospital records, the Medical Records Department will ask for personal information about the patient, including birth date, social security number, and approximate dates of hospitalization. Some hospitals require a written authorization from the patient to release the records.
Find out if the records can be released to the patient, or sent to the consulting doctor. If the records need to be picked-up, find out where and when they will be available. If the records are to be forwarded, you will need to provide the doctor's name, address, and telephone number. Find out when the records will be sent and by what method. It may be best to have the records mailed by a company that has a tracking system for packages.
Finally, the consulting doctor should be alerted as to when the records will arrive. Once the records have been received, you can make your phone on in-person consultation appointment.
I hope this helps. As always, please call or write if you need any additional assistance
Topics highlighted in “The Caring Column” are based on letters, emails and/ or calls received by the ABTA Patient Services Department. They do not represent actual correspondence.
To return back to the Care and Support page, click here.
About Us Tumor & Treatment Info Care & Support
Research Progress Donate Events& Meetings Advocacy
Healthcare Professionals Press Room ABTA Kids ABTA Store
2720 River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: 847-827-9910
Fax: 847-827-9918
Toll-free Phone: 800-886-2282
E-mail: info@abta.org