Wilsons Sandbox

There is no protocol for obtaining a second opinion except that imposed by your health insurance carrier. If you have the kind that allows you to go directly to a specialist without a referral I'd do that. But if you need a referral you can request it from your first doc after politely telling him (or his office) that you are not satisfied with the non-diagnosis that you got. When you make the appointment with the specialist tell his office that you have had some tests so that they can request them from the first doc -- that's standard procedure and no doctor will refuse a request for those records from another office. As far as getting the records yourself, that will probably be harder. Even though the lab or doctor's office that has them really doesn't "own" them, they are always reluctant to give them up -- I don't know why. When I got some MRI films from a hospital lab here to take to a specialist for a second opinion I had to sign them out with a promise to return them. However, the second doc told me NOT to return them, but keep them in my possession so that they would be readily available if I needed them again in the future. I have kept them and heard nothing more from the hospital lab, which I take to mean they know that they can't legally demand them back. -- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote:

> > I have been given a Dr's final diagnosis, "no physiological reason > for your (belly) pain." sigh. Not very useful to the KLR rider...who > is not so easily convinced. I won't bore you with the details, > suffice to say, I been poked and prodded, and have had an extensive > wallet biopsy done as well. > > These are my questions: > > Is there a protocol for obtaining a 2d medical opinion? > > How do I get the recent 'stress test' and cat-scan and other blood > test taken by one doctor forwarded to another? Does the Dr./ medical > facility that did these test now 'own' those images? > > Is it normal for a 'clinic' to not allow you access to your own > chart? ie, they will not allow you to see/read what is written in a > record about yourself? > > How do I get a copy of my chart? > > Thanks. Please respond off line. > > revmaaatin. >