How do you obtain your medical records of a doctor retired over 5 years ago?!
Question:
Dallas, Texas - Heart specialist and family physician
Answers:
Go to the hospital he practiced at. You should of got them before he retired. You can also find his number in the directory and call him. I live in a smaller town so I am sure it is more difficult for you but around where I live that is fesable to do..so get ahold of a hospital he worked at. They will steer you in the right direction. Good luck!
Other Answers:
You can check with the doctor(s) that took over your doctor's practice. Since it is only 5 yrs, you may have a fairly easy time getting them. Your records should still be available, I believe, for up to 20 yrs. The sooner you get them though, the easier it will be. If they have been put in storage, it may take some time, and you may also incur a small fee. Be sure to ask ahead of time.
I had to find some medical records for my dad that dated back to 1974 from a hospital. I called first, and spoke to Medical Records Dept. They were very friendly and helpful. It took about a week of them searching their basement storage/microfilm, but I got what I needed. It cost only $7.00 for the copies.
Good luck:)
The hospital he/she was affiliated with should be able to tell you who took over the practice. It may take a while to locate them.
You should always get a copy of your records when you move or change doctors.
If another dr. took over the retired dr's practice he will have charts. Or sometimes the elder of the doctors have storages of their own try and cintact him.
Having worked in Dr's offices I can tell you that legally doctor's are only required to keep your records for 7 yrs from the last date of your last visit unless you are a minor and then they are required to keep the minor's records until they are 21.
Upon his retiring they are required by law to notify patients of his intent and thus allowing you to go by and obtain your records. . .you either ignored that notice or it was published in a paper that you do not read but I know it had to have been published.
You need to locate the person or facility that is the records custodian and that may be hard to do.
See if you can find out if another Dr took over the practice.
Try to locate the old Dr. so you can ask him.
The hospital where he worked would not have his charts unless they have a special storage facility for such but it is very doubtful.
Check with your local Medical Association as chart storage information MIGHT have been made available to them.
Lastly,you may have to do more foot work and look in your Yellow Pages for storage. . there are special documentation storage places and they will have a list of who they are storing charts for but even if they have it you may still have a lengthy wait until they can dig them up and after 5yrs I am sure they are "buried".
After 5yrs,what's the hurry now? Believe it or not,a Dr can figure out your medical problems without previous records though it might take a while. . .finding your chart may take longer.
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