Did anyone pay for surgery report?

I just got a note in the mail and they said they charge $1.00 a page and mine is 72 pages. They said to send the $$ and they will send the report. Is this a normal procedure? I would like to ask them to borrow the report and go copy it myself! I think it's ridiculous that you have to pay to see what the heck they did to you. I think they got enough money with the hospial stay..
Any ideas as to what I can do??

I am going to see my doc tomorrow too. I have not asked them, but the hospital. Can the Dr office get it for free??

Joanne

Hi Joanne,

My hospital also charges for copies on your chart, but I got mine from my doctor for free. Just ask, I'm sure they'll give you a copy.

s,

Lisa

Joanne you are ENTITLED to a FREE copy from your doctor as this is YOUR report. Ask him to make a copy for you, though it may not be as detailed a report that he has, compared to the hospitals.

I should be a Patient Advocate some people tell me .

Patient's have more rights than they are aware of. But yes, your hospital can charge a fee for the report, but the doctor cannot and they are again, YOUR RECORDS and you have every right to a copy of them. If he charges you, I would really have something to say about that with him, as he was NOT charged by the hospital to RECEIVE them. Therefore, why should you be charged from him. If my doctor told me I would be facing a charge for them I'd say ten cents a page, that is what a place would charge to make me a copy and see what he says to that. Yep, I'm a smart arse aren't I .

Thank you ladies for your replies. I will see the Dr. tomorrow and will ask them if I can have a copy of the surgery report for my records. Will let you know if I have any problems....

Thanks!!
Joanne

I called the hospital today and asked for a copy of the report and they faxed me a permission sheet which I signed and sent back. they said they'll mail me the report. I said I was in no hurry, that it was just for my own records.

ask for the records department. first I asked for administration and they were confused what I was asking for.

however, there were no biopsies involved in my surgery, as I was having surgery for prolapse, not cancer or fibroids or tumors. so it might be different or more voluminous if you have a bunch of lab reports too.

if you contact the medical records department and sayt hat you need a copy of your records to bring in with you at your next appointment with your regular doctor as he/she likes to keep records of whats being done to you they should give you the copy for free. that is what i have always said (my doc told me to do that) and they have always given mine for free that way. my hospital is same way its a buck a page otherwise.

dr's have the right to charge you for copies of your report (my GP charges..my GYN doesnt)..this is determined by the individual dr's office.

Right after surgery I asked for and received at no charge a copy of my PATHOLOGY report from my gyn. I decided that I wanted the ENTIRE hospital report though since this was my first BIG surgery ever and that I wanted details that I may have missed out on due to anesthesia, etc. For the 71 page report my hospital is charging $42 and, while I maybe could have hassled someone to get it free, I decided that for what I had been thru and for what we had already spent for this surgery, what's another $42???? I am just naturally very curious about having all the details, especially when it comes to my health, so I really don't mind paying a little bit for peace of mind and knowing that the records will be in my hands should I ever need any specific info about this surgery. Even the details that I remember now will be forgotten over time, so it's important for me to have everything documented in writing as a reference down the road!

I also wanted a copy of my surgical reports following my TAH and I didn't have to pay anything. I just sent a letter to the clinic requesting the information and received a copy of everything in a week. The clinic was Mayo in Rochester MN. so just because the clinic is large does not mean that they charge, so I think it is up to the clinic, but I think they are just trying to make an extra buck.

Hi All,

I went to see the Dr. this morning and I forgot to ask about getting a copy of the surgery report. I called and the receptionist said she would mail it out to me today at no charge! Thanks for your input or I would still be wonering what to do.

Doc says I am healing good and I am going back to work on Nov 4th which will be 8 weeks on disability for me...

It's nice to have all of you to rely on for all the questions that come up for pre and post op!

GOD Bless you all!
Joanne