My son is 5 years old and has a cyst on his neck which requires him to be seen at children's hospital in birmingham Alabama. I called and signed the release of the medical records to be released to the dr in birmingham. The nurse told me that it is required a 2 week notice to release them and she could not release them because of non payment. Can they withhold the records because of non payment? And not release them for 2 weeks?

It is the practice in any doctors office I am aware of, not to send out medical records without an account being paid in full. Or payment arrangements made. ( signed note for payment)

Also they are allowed a process time and even to charge a reasonable fee for the copies of the records. ( copies are sent, they do keep copies of your records) ** Some places do electronic transfer to records including x-rays now.