Dr. Epstein neglected to contact me to inform me that a specialist had sent him a letter,requesting…read morethat Dr.Epstein order a Chest X-ray and other malignancy screenings,as the specialist had observed signs of a possible malignancy,and accordingly,failed to order the malignancy screenings upon the receipt of the letter. As a result of Dr.Epstein's failure to contact me,I learned that I might have cancer only because I requested a copy of my records from the specialist,which included the letter to Dr.Epstein. Dr. Epstein has failed to return my calls.Dr. Epstein did not call to report the results of an MRI of a tumor on my liver, or to report the results of the chest X-ray that he ordered,as per the specialist,only after I repotted to Dr.Epstein that I had learned that I might have cancer by reading the letter sent to him by the specialist.Dr. Epstein did not even call me,after telling another Dr. who ,concerned about my health and Dr. Epstein's lack of responsiveness. that he would call me.A specialist's office just requested that I obtain copies of my medical records.I called Dr. Epstein's office to relay the request.The Office Manager informed me that it is HIPAA violation for a Doctor's office to send medical records to another Dr. She said that it is "against the law for anyone other than a 'licensed agency" (as in the "licensed agency contracted by the Dr.Epstein's practice to photocopy and mail records fora fee ) to photocopy and mail medical records to another Doctor.When I mentioned that the specialist who had sent my records to Dr. Epstein,does not believe it is agains the law to send medical records to another Dr.,the office manager said that I did not need my medical records,as I had already obtained a copy of the specialist's records,indicating that I might have cancer.I had to point out that I was requesting Dr.EPSTEIN'S records.She also told me that the doctor whom I am about to consult does not need all my records from Dr.Epstain ,which consist of a total of 3 -4 office visits,some blood test results,and presumably the results of the Chest X-ray and MRI of my liver .She believes that ,as an office manger,she is qualified to determine which of m my records are needed by the Chief of a Department at a teaching hospital...Dr.Epstein's office manager said that there was absolutely no possibility of my obtaining my medical records other than through paying a fee to Healthport,the agency involved.It does not matter that this agency only picks up records from Dr.Epstein's office once a week,and that time is of essence. Apparently, the only way to learn if the Chest X-Ray or Liver Scans revealed that I have cancer,is by forking over 75 cents a page to Healthport.
Unless you are prepared to learn that you might have cancer by reading a letter,or for cancer,if present to be allowed to metastasize I recommend that you choose another internist.