Billed for a service that I didn't know was going to be charged for.

[Chief2001]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

I am changing Medical Doctors. I filled out a form with my previous MD's address and my new MD's address so that records could be transfered. I did not sign any paperwork at all pertaining to this.

I received a bill from a company called Smart Document Solutions. The bill is for $40.35 for copying and transfer of my record to my new Doctor. I was not told that I was going to be charged for the transfer of my records. I would like to just attach a not to the bill stating that they can keep my records because I won't pay to have them transferred.

I can start up at my new Medical Doctor just by filling out his pre-screening question/answer form.

The bill has a notice attached that says if I don't pay, my account may be turned over to a collection agency. I never setup a account with this company..

What are my options? I don't want to pay for the transfer. They can keep my records.

Thank you for any help at all on this.

Chief2001

[moburkes]

Originally Posted by Chief2001

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

I am changing Medical Doctors. I filled out a form with my previous MD's address and my new MD's address so that records could be transfered. I did not sign any paperwork at all pertaining to this.

I received a bill from a company called Smart Document Solutions. The bill is for $40.35 for copying and transfer of my record to my new Doctor. I was not told that I was going to be charged for the transfer of my records. I would like to just attach a not to the bill stating that they can keep my records because I won't pay to have them transferred.

I can start up at my new Medical Doctor just by filling out his pre-screening question/answer form.

The bill has a notice attached that says if I don't pay, my account may be turned over to a collection agency. I never setup a account with this company..

What are my options? I don't want to pay for the transfer. They can keep my records.

Thank you for any help at all on this.

Chief2001

So, what was the form that you filled out, but didn't sign that gave your doctor permission to violate HIPAA, since you didn't sign it?

[Blue Meanie]

Originally Posted by moburkes

So, what was the form that you filled out, but didn't sign that gave your doctor permission to violate HIPAA, since you didn't sign it?

Yep! I have never had a doctor that would transfer records without me signing off on it! And almost all of my doctors charged $5 per page....although if I ask nice they will usually waive the fee...cause they like me...

[Chief2001]

It was titled, Authorization for Release of information.

This form was given to me by my new doctors office, and was told to fill it out and give it to my old doctors office for transfer of records.

I filled in the Old Doctors address block, Printed my name in patient name block, put date of birth and date range of records to be sent which was Nov 2001 to present.

There was a place for signature but I never signed it and handed it too my old doctors office. I was never told that I was going to be charged for records transfer.

thanks
Chief2001

[You Are Guilty]

PA lets doctors charge for copying your records for whatever purpose, although they limit it to "charges shall be reasonably related to the cost of making the copy" (see, e.g., 28 PAC §115.29; §563.11).

If they've already made the copies, you're going to have a harder time getting out of the bill than if they didn't process your request yet (usually, they will not start copying until you pay the invoice). In which case, don't delay too long in trying to cancel your request.

[Chief2001]

Originally Posted by baystategirl

Yep! I have never had a doctor that would transfer records without me signing off on it! And almost all of my doctors charged $5 per page....although if I ask nice they will usually waive the fee...cause they like me...

I called them and they actually waived the fee. thanks

[Blue Meanie]

Originally Posted by Chief2001

I called them and they actually waived the fee. thanks

How nice! A happy ending!!!