Does a patient have the right to look thru their files at a doctor's office?

I need a copy of some of my medical records for insurance reasons. The doctor's office (specialist) will not furnish the info. What can I do?

If YOU are indeed the patient, they have no right to not let you look at them and/or request a copy of your whole medical file. You may have to pay a small fee for each page being copied but you are entitled to the records or at least copies. Because of the new HIPA law regarding privacy, they will not even let your spouse have any info on you but you, yourself, are allowed to obtain your records. If they do not, I would consider contacting an attorney for a free consult.....you just may have a case here and/or contact the american medical association with the physicians name and info and they will definitely get something done for you---even if it means suspending his license!! Good luck!

You should have your insurance company contact the Dr. office...

Yes, you do have a legal right to a COPY of your medical files, and the Dr's office is under legal obligation to get it to you. Do they have a process for doing this, like a request letter? Or is she just saying flat out, "no?" You may have legal recourse if they don't furnish you with the files.

Explain the problem you're having with the doctor to the insurance company and perhaps pay a lawyer to write a formal request for the documents. The doctor is obligated to provide the info to insurance companies when they request it!

You have every right to get a copy of your entire files.
What is their excuse for not giving them to you?
If this guy is an independent you can call or write the AMA.. if he works for a clinic you go to the director and tell them you are being denied access to your files.
No doctor can deny that copy, the privacy laws are for protecting you.. and btw I might think about switching doctors this one sounds like a quack.

It may differ from state to state or country to country but they should at the very least furnish the information your insurance company request with your approval in writing. Try talking to someone else or have the insuranc company call them. My guess they specialist is not properly trained and has misinterpreted the policy.

You have a right to a copy of your records.

Yes you do. In fact, when I needed records, I went straight to my doc's office and they photocopied everything that I needed for me.

Doctors, their nurses, and office staff are not your GOD. They are your paid employees and as such should bend over backward to accommodate you. When you (through your checks to the insurance company and your co-pay to the doctor) pay for a visit, you are effectively paying all their salaries. You need to understand this and treat them accordingly. We have let them get so arrogant and omnipotent, that we can't deal with people we pay for a service. Get a backbone and demand to be treated respectfully. You are as important as the doctor as he NEVER knows what is wrong till you tell him. Then he hits in the dark at fixing it and you often have more than one visit and more than one very expensive prescription and you keep on paying for shoddy service as your insurance costs go up. They blame everything in the world except gross inefficiency of the doctor and his office staff. Sue them for the records - they are YOUR records and are not the property of the doctor or his clerk. You pay for them and their maintenance.