Dr.'s records privacy rules
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Dr.'s records privacy rules
| Tue, 05-09-2006 - 8:22am |
Did you all know that your teen can go to the doctor and the clinic will not release any details of the visit? Your child could have an STD, HIV or be pregnant and you would not be able to find out unless the child signs a release agreement. I don't even know if they give the child the release during the exam or if they have to know to ask for it. I found this out when my DD went in for an exam and I hadn't heard anything for a couple of days. I called the clinic to see how things went. The woman very sternly said they could not release ANY information. She also added that she has a 15 year old DD and she doesn't agree with it either. I am very frustrated. Maybe some teens are mature enough to handle issues like I listed above by themselves, but mine really isn't. One day I brought up some information on STDs and she was in a listening mood. Some of the things I told her she did not know. Does anyone have any advice about this? Some days I can talk to DD and some days she is not willing. But I am worried. When I told DH about this, he started into authoritarian mode. He said we should take away her car if she doesn't sign the release because we are responsible for her until she is 18. And that if she wants to be independent then she will have to pay for the exam and the medication instead of our insurance. I don't agree with him and told him I didn't think that would go over well and then she REALLY won't talk to us. I think when the results of her tests come back I can get her to tell me. I asked her last night and she said it would take about a week.
Deb
Deb

Yes, I agree that this law totally stinks! Both of my dd's signed the release at the gyno's office. However, each and every year that they go they have to sign a new one or the office can't tell me a thing. My oldest, 18, she goes to the DR (both gyno or reg) and I am the one paying the co-pay. IMO, I should have access to her records but the offices say no. Now that she is 18, I have absolutely no say in this at all, which for the most part is really okay since dd tells me everything anyway. But still, I think it's BS that she is covered under my policy, I pay the co-pay and I am locked out.
Recently, I needed to have old files transferred to an adult neurologist for 18dd and when I made the request, they told me no, that dd had to make the request. Well, that's just great, she only has 1 hour between school and work and thier office is at lunch during that hour....dd doesn't get out of work until 6 PM, after thier office is closed. So how the heck would she be able to make that request. The woman I spoke with said "I will fax a form to you to have your dd sign and fax back. Once I receive the form, we can transfer the files." I said, "Oh good because she's sitting right here with me"-LOL.
Ridiculous!
Yeah, the rule stinks, but here's the other side of the story, and the reason for the rule:
"I haven't had my period in 3 months, but if mom & dad think I might be pregnant there will be hell to pay."
"Something nasty is going on down there, wonder if it will go away on it's own?