Transfer of Medical Records from One Practice to Another -- What is Standard Practice?

[Anonymous]

I had a bad experience with one doctor that my son went to. So I went to another recommended by several people I know. I was much happier there, and the new doctor said he was going to request my son's records from the former doctor. I asked if he wanted me to do it and he said, "it's easier if my office does it." Fine. Well, they've never been transferred and when I called the old doctor, his office said I had to pay $35 and come get the records myself. Which is fine. I just feel there's a disconnect somewhere. Is the new doctor right, or is the old doctor right?

So for anyone who deals with medical records, can you tell me:

1) Can one physician request patient records from another physician? (I did sign a release form at the new doctor granting permission for this, which I assume he sent to the old doctor)

2) If there can be a doctor-to-doctor records transfer, does it usually cost money?

[Anonymous]

This is different from office to office. I would just pay the $35 and be done with it.

[Anonymous]

We had to pay to get our medical records transferred to another doctor.

[Anonymous]

I think most doctors do this for free for other doctors as "professional courtesy". Obviously, your original doc is not courteous! They are allowed to charge a per page fee for copying, and most doctors do this if you get your records for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Under HIPAA, they are allowed charge you a "reasonable" fee for copying the records. If you think this charge is not reasonable (depending on how many pages you are having copied) then you can file a complaint against your doctor on the HHS Office of Civil Rights website.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/index.html

[Anonymous]

I had to pay.

[Anonymous]

I had to pay $10 once to get my records switched.

[Anonymous]

Yep,
It cost me $25 and a 2 week wait before my med. records were (finally) transferred.