For the past couple weeks, I've put in several requests to my internist's office to review my medical file have been repeatedly denied. To...

Question

For the past couple weeks, I've put in several requests to my internist's office to review my medical file & have been repeatedly denied. Today, my husband & I spoke with the office manager who said she doesn't have the staff to sit with me while I review my file. So, I requested copies of my doctor's notes & correspondence from the specialists to whom my internist had referred me. The office manager claimed I am not entitled to to see or get copies of any letters from specialists even though they are in my file. The specialists include a gastroenterologist, urologist, cardiologist, etc. None have anything to do with mental health. Is the doctor's office legally permitted to keep this information from the patient? If I do have a right to these documents, how do I obtain copies? Is it worth speaking to an attorney?

Answer

I don't know what you mean by "put in several requests." Write a letter to the doctor certified mail return receipt requested, with a copy to the Medical Board of California. I would be pleased to write the letter on my letterhead for $100.