The more I read on this site the more I laugh because I find once again it wasn't just happening to me lol
We lived in western nebraska and our daughters ped. endo was in Denver Co, over Christmas break from school we moved to southern South Dakota, after finding a new primary care physician we filled out all the necessary forms to have records transferred from every doctor to her, this was done on Jan 5. On Jan 16th the primary said she had all records except from daughters doc in Denver, since we were going there on the 22nd I said I'd ask about it, well, they got the request forms but said there was a $14 service fee for sending them out, but, that if I paid the $14 right then in there they would just make the copies and send them home with me to deliver....so what is the $14 if I'm carrying the records myself..paper and ink??? I reluctantly paid the fee and was handed 4 sheets of paper with print only on 1 side of each sheet???? I did NOT get complete copies of ALL her records just what THEY chose to copy in a flash and hand me. I then asked for a receipt for my $14, a minute or so later I get handed a piece of paper and instead of saying receipt for copies of records it said....
Lost Check......$14
MasterCard/Visa....- $14
I swear, you can't make this stuff up lol
So, after returning home I went to primary office the next business day and showed her the records, she just gave me this glazed over eye stare like...huh??
She calls Denver, (I didn't get to hear the conversation) and then tells me everything will be faxed to her before I leave her office and she chewed them out for short changing me. before I left she had the fax...all 56 pages! So to this I say:
4 sheets of copy paper....$10
ink on 4 sheets of copy paper...$4
A Doctor who gets things done....PRICELESS

I believe if there is a cost for record transfer it should be in writing somewhere, and if its a new rule they should post it clearly for all to see when they walk in the door, and it should be part of the request forms your filling out that there will be a fee for doing the transfer. Just my thoughts but what do I know I'm just a mother and a patient. lol

I have not run into any of this. Maybe it's a big city thing.

I have heard of this before, and it is ludicrous. I have had doctors’ offices mail my entire file with no charge, and others who fax or make calls for no charge. But more and more this charging for additional services is being used. A number of years ago I visited a dermatologist at the request of my doctor to view a very small mole. Being a new patient, I completed the mound of paperwork they required. I was in the waiting room an eternity (far past my appointment time). I saw his nurse eventually for a few minutes. Then the doctor saw me for maybe 5 minutes. When I got the bill I nearly fainted, it was so outrageous. But the “kicker” was the $35.00 “new patient file” charge. I did all the work filling out the paperwork and spent a ridiculous amount of time waiting for the doctor, and they charged ME $35.00 for being a new patient!

I know that if you ask to come by and pick up paperwork to take to another doctor, that usually is best. While they may charge to mail it - or even fax it, which is absurd - there rarely is a charge for them to copy it and give it to you to hand deliver.

The endocrinologist that I have been seeing for a couple of months (very large outfit) has signs posted everywhere that there is an additional charge if you do not get all of your prescription refills while there for your visit. If they have to phone it in or fax it, there’s an extra charge. I cannot remember just what it was, but I remember thinking it was very high.

This is the world we live in, folks. Doubt it will get any better.

i did not know i had to get all this done yearly thank for the heads up