[jammy23]

After taking an ultrasound of the carotid arteries beg of the month, I expected the
Doctor to call with the results. He didn't so I called the office. They never answer
The phone, they just say leave your number and a message. I called five days,
Once a day for a week. No one called me back and the doctor never called even
Though that is what I requested.

I had my primary doctor call there (the receptionist) and he got through when
He pressed that it was a doctor's office calling. They said they gave the doctor
The message and didn't know why he won't call. He's a cardiologist... and he's
Raising my b/p!

Anyway, I decided to ask for my records. So my primary doctor's office sent
Me release forms to fill out and they faxed it to their office. No records were
Forwarded. Do I have to travel (l hour away) and start yelling like a raving
Maniac and walk into the doctor's private office... or do you have another
Suggestion. Are they not legally obligated to give me my records?

[joypulv]

Yes, by law you are entitled to your records. (Hospitals generally charge for them - was the cardiologist in a hospital setting? That could delay getting them.)
These days, many doctors are just so overworked for the pay they get that they only call a patient if something was wrong on a test. I don't think anyone has called me to say everything was normal in over 25 years.
Now of course that's no consolation, because you don't know which the answer is. So usually you call the office, and something like a note in your file that an office person is allowed to tell you will say that all was OK, and that's that.
I'm really surprised that the cardiologist didn't respond to your primary doctor. All I can think of is that something is different, like the cardiologist is sick, injured, or away unexpectedly. Or the office help is all out sick, who knows.
One other possibility is that the ultrasound is read by another doctor. The last one I had was done by a technician, not the doctor, so I had to wait for the results, and they came from a specialty group that reads various kinds of scans. Again, a very busy specialist may ignore you when they themselves are still waiting. Not very nice, but it's a fact of life.

My key question is exactly where was the test done - in his office, or a hospital setting?

[jammy23]

Thank you for getting back to me. The test was done in the doctor's office. There is only one other doctor sharing the office.
Someone comes in twice a month to do the ultrasounds and she said they will have the results in one hour... that was at the
beg of the month. He told me lose weight and I did, but put some of it back. That is the only reason I can come up with
because the person who rec him to me gets a call back for everything from blood work to X-rays.
I asked for someone (anyone) from the office staff to at least call me and no one did. I want my records for another
cardiologist.

Thank you for getting back to me. The test was done in the doctor's office. There is only one other doctor sharing the office.
Someone comes in twice a month to do the ultrasounds and she said they will have the results in one hour... that was at the
beg of the month. He told me lose weight and I did, but put some of it back. That is the only reason I can come up with
because the person who rec him to me gets a call back for everything from blood work to X-rays.
I asked for someone (anyone) from the office staff to at least call me and no one did. I want my records for another
cardiologist.

will I need legal support?

[joypulv]

The new cardiologist (if your insurance covers one) can get the results. I think it's too soon to get legal help - this time of year is bound to be slow.
And of course if you were to go that route, you would put your requests for records in writing.
Your arteries might be on a spectrum from good to clogged. Perhaps telling you to lose weight was his way of saying that your arteries weren't great but were reversible with careful diet (JUST A GUESS!). That might be the 'test results.' That might be why he's ignoring you.
Try to appreciate the state of medical care these days. Medicare and Medicaid reimburse pennies on the dollar. Doctors spend less and less time on their patients, especially specialists, if the need isn't dire.
I'm not making apologies for doctors who won't respond, just explaining. I would suggest a request in writing before you drive an hour, or before you see another cardio, or before you consult lawyers.

[J_9]

Firstly, please use complete words. By "beg of the month" we can assume you mean beginning of the month. The person who "rec" you? What does "rec" mean?

A doctor's office is not going to call you if the results are normal, at least most of them. They are too busy for that. They will only call you or your primary care physician if the results are abnormal.

When you call the office try using the option to speak to an operator as if you were trying to make an appointment. They will then forward you to the doctor's nurse and she should return the call within hours, but it may take as many as 48 hours if it is a busy office.

If you want your records for another cardiologist, that is really very simple. You go to the new cardiologist and sign a waiver for a transfer of records. The new cardiologist will then request a copy of the records which will then be sent to them. You don't need to get the records yourself.

As a medical professional myself, I cringe when I get patients like this who think that they are deserving of all records and threaten with a suit to get them. Patients like you are our worst nightmare. These offices are busy. VERY busy. If we had to call every patient, every day, who had normal test results we would need to hire another dedicated employee to do only that. Then, for every person who wants a copy of their medical record we would have to hire another person. That costs the office money, therefore it would increase the costs of services to pay for those employees.

Reiterating... You go to the new cardiologist and sign a Medical Records Release form. That new doctor will send it off and get your copies. It's really that simple.

However, I think there is more to this than you just wanting copies sent to a new doctor. Looking back at your other posts I see I was correct. You are a medical professional's nightmare. Always trying to find something wrong and involving yourself with medical malpractice lawsuits that don't involve you.

Do I have to travel (l hour away) and start yelling like a raving
Maniac and walk into the doctor's private office

Do that an be prepared to get arrested justifiably.

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes, you should go to their call and leave a message you will be at the office on a certain date. Also they may require an appointment to go over the results with you.

With that, yes, go to office and get the report

[J_9]

It is unfortunate you don't like the advice I have given you, as evidenced by your rude PM to me.


You may be a retired nurse, but there are recent changes in medical care. I appreciate the fact that you know how doctors/hospitals bill and how insurance companies pay or don't pay, and that is one thing we agree on.


Just a little background on me so that you may understand where I am coming from. Currently I am a Registered Nurse specializing in Obstetrics and Emergency Medicine. I also provide expert witness services in obstetrical nurse in a rural setting, I am AWHONN Certified. Prior to that I was a professional in medical malpractice, not as an attorney, but as a paralegal. So I am well versed in the medical-legal field for over 20 years now.

While I agree that after 5 calls to the office your concerns should have been addressed, I stand by my statement that you could be arrested for going to the office and "yelling like a raving Maniac and walk into the doctors office." Your words, not mine.

Should you you have a med/mal case, and I'm not saying you do, actions such as this would be filed in the doctor's Answer to your Complaint should you file suit, and would be used against you in the legal system rather than letting the system work for you.

You may be a retired nurse, but you don't seem to understand the legal system.