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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on December 20, 2010, at 21:30:48
So, here's what happened: I called an ex-therapist/counselor for records. I saw him years ago, and called him about 3 years ago for records. First he said he didn't know where the records were. Then he said "Don't you think you'd need to pay me to find your records and prepare them for you?" I didn't know what to say. He was being manipulative. I hung up, and felt angry.
Fast forward a couple years. He's been given a subpoena for my records as part of an ongoing state board investigation of a psychiatrist I went to. That was months ago. I called and got his voice mail. I said "This is ___, a former patient. I want my records. I don't want any crap about not knowing where they are or having to pay you; I'm familiar w/ the HIPPA laws and I need you to say yes or say no. If you say no, someone--a lawyer, the medical board, or possibly another mental health professional--will get them for me. I'm going to give you a couple days to think about it."
This time, I got a *much* different response. He called *ME* back (must have checked his caller ID) and left a message saying my records were ready and that I just needed to call the receptionist so I could pick them up and sign a release. I don't even have to pay a copying fee!
On the one hand--hell yeah! He was such a bully when I saw him--take this, don't take that (w/o any medical training!), not believing me when I had problems or side-effects, that sort of thing. Eventually I quit seeing him and went to a shrink.
On the other hand--am *I* becoming the bully? As a Christian, that's not cool.
Anyway, it was kind of sad hearing his overly-nice message on my voice mail. I remember how he treated me when I was down-and-out (you're schizophrenic, blah blah blah), and now all I had to do was say "Lawyer!" and he crumbled. I respect him even less now than I did before, although I thought this might happen.
What do you all think?
Posted by Phillipa on December 20, 2010, at 21:51:01
In reply to Did I handle this situation the right way?, posted by Christ_empowered on December 20, 2010, at 21:30:48
Good for you. Technically your records do belong to you. If the health professional feels it could be detrimental to you some refuse to give them to you but will send to another doc. I once had to pay for copies of my records. I did see if legal and it was I was told. Could vary from state to state really no idea. How do you feel about getting your records as sounds like necessary from what you say. I had a pdoc once the FBI seized records from for a variety of reason. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on December 20, 2010, at 22:17:45
In reply to Re: Did I handle this situation the right way? » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on December 20, 2010, at 21:51:01
Thanks, Phillipa.
I feel good about getting my records, and good over all about the investigation (I started it by filing a complaint). I feel as if now the "professionals," including this guy, who treated my like crap have to take me seriously. They can stick to the whole schizophrenic narcissist label if they want to, but I'm not playing their little games anymore.
I guess I just felt a bit bad about it because I need to avoid living in the past and/or being vindictive and aggressive. But I'm thinking that even if I don't read my records--and I may not, because my ex-shrink read off some of what this "professional" wrote about me, and it was totally off-base--at least I've shown that I'm not a "mental patient" to be taken lightly and treated however they see fit; there are laws and regulations, and they (the "professionals") need to obey them.
I guess I'm also a bit disappointed that all I had to was stand up for myself. He's a "professional"! Why do I have to look up the laws and be so firm with him? Why was he so overly nice in his message? WHY, oh WHY, does he even do this for a living?
Anyway, thanks again.
Posted by Maxime on December 20, 2010, at 22:21:28
In reply to Did I handle this situation the right way?, posted by Christ_empowered on December 20, 2010, at 21:30:48
YOu did exactly the right thing. You were not a bully. You let him know that you were aware of your rights and I believe that is what got him moving. Just think, you will never have to deal with him again!
Posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2010, at 19:04:42
In reply to Re: Did I handle this situation the right way?, posted by Christ_empowered on December 20, 2010, at 22:17:45
Try not to look back what you did was courageous I admire this trait in others. See you have a new diagnosis on med board. I wouldn't read the records might hurt your feelings more. Phillipa
Posted by europerep on January 8, 2011, at 17:52:52
In reply to Re: Did I handle this situation the right way? » Christ_empowered, posted by Maxime on December 20, 2010, at 22:21:28
> YOu did exactly the right thing. You were not a bully. You let him know that you were aware of your rights and I believe that is what got him moving. Just think, you will never have to deal with him again!
Right, and maybe he'll take it as a lesson and start being a little less of an ass to other clients or patients...
What is not Christian about being straightforward?
This is the end of the thread.
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