can a doctor legally hold onto your medical records if he claims you owe him money?
468581
It goes to show you that in your country health care is a business. Thank God it is not like that in Canada... yet! That in its self is a crime. I'm pretty sure that they are your property. Seeing how it is confidential information about you. Shame to your doctor he sounds pretty unethical anyways. Time to get a new one.
371807
It depends on the law in the state you're in.  A couple of things come into play.  \n\n1)Some states what's yours is his, and what's his is yours, meaning you both are responsible for the debt regardless of who signed for it.  \n2)Some states has long as you make a payment on a medical bill will prevent it from being reported (this is just a couple of states though).  \n3)Next try submitting the bill to your insurance for processing.  It doesn't have to be done by the hospital to be paid, you'll need an itemized statement from them, but then you can file and your insurance will either pay them directly or issue you a check.  Also if the hospital was "in-network" for the insurance they'll send an explanation of benefits showing what you truly owe.  For example the hospital billed $15 for a shot, well if you have no insurance then you pay $15, but if you have insurance and they are "in-network" that charge might become $5 and then you only owe your portion of the "contracted" charge.  This results in major savings since the $10 gets written off as a contractual adjustment, meaning they agreed to only charge $5 not $15.  \n4)Since you were served court papers and chose not to attend you effectivly "agreed" to any order before the judge.  Getting that fixed now will be a problem.  Again though go through your insurance and at least get the amount reduced to the contractual amount.
426982
You have a right to examine your medical records and get copies.  (By Federal Law-part of HIPAA Law http://www.hipaaguidelines101.com/\n\nI believe you can add information, a letter or demand a correction if it is truly inaccurate.
116939
Keep doctor documentation and keep fighting.  The idea is that you'll give up before they do.  So don't.
1026323
Contact the manager of the lab and let that person know that you feel that the doctor should be liable for this bill because the doctor prevented you from the proper course of action and ask the manager to redirect the bill to the doctor.  It doesn't hurt to ask.  I have had similiar situations and because I was persistent ...they finally gave up.  But you may want to choose a different doctor.
522105
The first rule of thumb when dealing with medical records is always...NO, then you must look through the regulations to determine under what circumstance you can say yes. There a couple of ways to obtain someone's medical records, if you are their personal representative or you have been given power of attorney for medial records you can sign a release of information form and obtain the records. Or you can petition the court for a court order releasing records. Keep in mind that this is no easy task. A judge CANNOT issue a court order without "good cause".
179063
Because, the hospitals main concern is what makes the world go round, MONEY, if you sue, they lose precious MONEY, and so the doctor lied, then you records were erased so you couldn't sue them and get a penny of there precious mounds of MONEY!\n(fight the MAN) (those guys are real jerks and srry bout it)
348570
I would imagine it is legal.  Some companies require a doctor's note if you miss more than one day of work.  As far as disclosing specific medical information, I would say your friend is not required to disclose anything she is not comfortable sharing.  If she feels she is being treated unfairly, she can contact the Dept. of Labor and discuss it with them.
883278
Yea, this sounds like you need the court to help you on this sweety...\n\nIf he's been self employed you might want to know also how long he's been self employed and how much he's claiming...This is all going to be done through court...Perhaps you can ask the court since he's self employed if it can be garnished from his bank account...I'm not sure if this is legal, but maybe ask the court or get some legal help...\n\nGood luck.
1054892
Your odds are not good getting beyond his limits. Your attorney might sue him, but it is doubtful you would be able to collect much. Even if you won a case you would have to go after him for garnishments,etc.. If he doesn't own a paid home or other material goods the attorney probably won't bother. He may look at your personal auto insurance. That will usually cover for uninsured motorists if you carry that coverage but he would have to determine of you could use it since you weren't driving at the time. Since you say you have $170000 in medical bills I am guessing you don't have any personal medical insurance either. Your attorney should be able to tell you what to expect to receive after his fee, which is usually 25% to 40% depending.
434098
I agree, get a lawyer. Too many posibilities and not enough clarification with your question. Most Doctors practicing medicine today carry  malpractice insurance. If the Doctor is clearly at fault you may have an easier time finding representation via a lawyer as they can expect a payout even if you can't afford one now.
344354
Absolutely not. Most medical facilities are not allowed to refuse treatment to you even if you cannot pay. Though depending on the circumstance, they may be able to refuse to set another appointment until payment is made (i.e. the dentist)\nI imagine that this facility is using this as a sort of "scare tactic" to prevent people from not paying. However, you are entitled to have a certain amount of time to make a payment. If you cannot make the payment in full you are entitled to make a payment arrangement. If you are sending them a reasonable amount of money each month to try an pay off your bills, they cannot even take you to court over the issue. If they harass you for a higher payment which you are unable to make you can accuse them of harassment.\nIt seems like so many companies try to bully people these days. Please know your rights when it comes to your bills. \nYou are protected under the Fair Debt Collections Practice Act. Though these laws apply to collection agencies, I am certain they would also apply to anyone trying to collect a debt, including your hospital.\nCheck out the link below.
48657
If you are given a subpoena, you should not need the patient's authorization in order to comply with it, but you could contest the subpoena if you feel it would violate your patient's doctor-patient privelege. I'm not a lawyer though, and HIPAA has changed the playing field when it comes to releasing medical records. If the patient is willing to sign an authorization, getting it certainly wouldn't hurt.
1182889
I don't think that it is legal because the records are yours. The MD may have you pay for the copies but I think that under federal law, they have to give them to you.
138586
Unless you owe money to your employer for some reason, and he has documented proof of this debt, he has no legal right to hold your check. Contact your civil court and find out how much it would cost to take him to court, and decide if the cost outweighs the benefits. Of course, simply threatening him with a lawsuit may shake him enough to give it to you.
735770
The police need a warrant to get your medical records without your consent.  If a doctor gives up that information without your consent, it cannot be used in a court of law.  If you are afraid your rights have been violated get an attorney.
823447
I am going to make your research real simple here.  Call the state licensing medical board in Pennsylvania and ask them.  Tell them what is going on.  It is unethical for a doctor to withhold medical records from a patient, especially if their life or well being is at stake.\n\nThe hospital and/or doctor may request that you pay a fee for coping expenses of said records, but if the medical bill itself is not paid that shouldn't really matter.\n\nIf you have a doctor requesting the records, because you are changing physicians, it is normal to give a copy of your medical records for free to the said physician as a professional courtesy.\n\nGood Luck and Take Care