Can a doctor's office refuse to give me my original x-rays?

I thought doctors had to give you your personal medical file if you requested it. I went to a doctor and then decided I did not want to recieve my treatment from him. He wanted me to pay for orthotics up front when that is not necessary because my insurance pays 100%. I set up an appointment at another podietrist who doesnt do that. I want my x-rays from the first doc. so I wont have to get raidiated again for no reason. The rude receptionist said she would only give me copies for a fee, but not the original slides. Can they do that?

The records belong to the doctor and not you. You can request a copy, which they can charge a fee for.

They do have to release your records on command, however in most states they can charge a fee for copying them. Most doctors are going to keep the originals as it covers their butt from a legal standpoint. Sometimes they give back the original xrays and sometimes they don't.

I'd argue that unless they were taken by that doctor, in his office, they were originally the property of the xray lab, and now you and your property. Then start talking louder in an office full of patients. That often works!

YES THEY CAN DO THAT. THEY SOMETIMES GIVE YOU THE ORIGINAL WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO AND SEE A DIFFERENT DOCTOR. THE HOSPITAL GAVE ME MY SONS WHEN HE BROKE HIS ARM, SO I COULD TAKE THEM TO GET HIM A CAST.

yes

Well thats pretty low down!
I am not sure what the law reads exactly on that issue, but you may want to call your probate judges office or circuit clerk's office and ask them about it.

Yep. You will have to pay to receive copies, most doctors offices are required to keep originals. You can get your records transferred to your new doc, that way he can see what's going on. And that should be for free. Talk to your new doc office, have them contact the old one.

Yes. And learn to spell correctly, would you please, moron?

Usually they give you copies, just because they need to keep a copy from a legally standpoint.

The fee requested is for the expense of copying and transmitting your file. Your entire file in NOT passed on, only those details that would be useful to your next provider. X-rays are not usually passed on since the time factor must be considered. Most doctors will not use an old x-ray unless it is very recent since they want to get an accurate picture. Your new physician may want entirely different views as well. So to answer your question they can most definitely charge you and they do not have to give you the original x-rays.

As far as I know, there are yours, you paid for them through your insurance, so you need to get them. You need to start documenting names and what people say and promise. You might need to contact you state attorney general, but they will need copies of all documents etc. Get the book "Healthcare for Less" by Michelle Katz....she does mention that this is a great way to save money in healthcare. Just be sure you get copies of all your medical records the next time...because you may need them in the future.

the original actually belongs to the facility in which it was taken. so No you can not obtain the original- BUT you can always ask for a copy. (some places ask for small fee for copy)

to avoid that fee - tell them you need them for another doctor. they legally cant charge you the fee then