I went to the dentist to pick up xrays and they told me i couldnt have them because i owe them money. Even though the exrays had already been paid for by my insurance company. I have also been making payments and was shocked they wouldnt give me my xrays. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the board of dentistry in my state. Anybody know if they are violating the hippa laws?

HIPPA is all about privacy laws and release of medical information to 3rd parties and stuff. (Don't quote me on this, though. . .my husband is much more knowledgeable about this from working in the healthcare industry. I'll check with him to be sure.) If anything, what this dentist's office is doing is unethical. They are, in effect, denying you proper medical care because of your financial situation. I'm pretty sure that's against the law in some way.

Is your dentist or the office manager aware of the situation? I would speak with him (or her) about it and if you make no headway, then file the complaint.

Is it just me, or are doctors (dentists and specialists and everything) just getting snottier? I wish we could see more posts about how good our doctors are, but it just seems to be getting worse. There are too many people practicing medicine that have an I-wanna-play-God-attitude or they're scared of legal action against them or they just plain don't give a Continental-flyin' damn about the patient. Okay, I'd better stop now before I get too fired up. Please excuse my brief hijacking of this thread by getting on my soapbox.

Keep us updated, pillhill. Let us know how it turns out. Take Care!
Erin

Thank you cehrriins, you were right the dentist didnt even know about my problem so i had him call me before i filed the complaint and he agreed to give me the xrays even though he denied that they had to give them to me, he claimed that they didnt have to give them to me but since i was a long time patient and i had been paying my balance it would be no problem getting the xrays. I am sure it is burning up the receptionist that refused me. I still think they have to give a copy of the xrays. I did speak with someone with the medical board who said even if you owe money they are suppose to give you your records but that was with a MD, and she wasnt sure if it applied to a dentist. Thanks for your input cehrriins.

They,by federal law have to give you your records and or xrays within 2 weeks. Jack

I have a question. I've had a doctor's office tell me they would not provide ME with the records, but they would send them to whomever would be my new doctor. Am I able to demand my records? O Ye Wise Ones, do tell!

I would call your insurance company who paid for the x-rays and tell them the story, they have to give them to you.
SUGARBUNNY....Yes, It's a law they have to give you your medical records, however, they can charge you for them. Normally, if you are changing Dr's they will just forward them to the new Dr....maybe they were trying to save you some money. I'm sure if you explain you want them and know you are entitled they will give them to you, they are full well aware of the laws.

Sugarbunny, they are your records, and you have every right to them. I have had to pay for them (per page, copying charges). I told them I was compiling my own medical history, and since I had many troubles with them being forwarded to the next specialist, I felt right in requesting them, and I had no grief getting them. Except to the pocket book!