I see this from both points of view as a purveyor of medical records and a patient of my doctor and a captive to my HMO.   A doctor whose records are requested has a staff to do the copying, has a set of statutes guiding this process, costs to consider, and knows this takes some time to do. They don't waste their own time copying records themselves.

The statutes here say you must request in writing and the office has ten days to provide the records and may charge a reasonable cost for copying.

Patients who expect records on demand when they call a doctor or march up to the window, are being selfish, self-centered and unreasonable. Plus they are usually pissed off about something to begin with and are making a veiled complaint or threat about walking.

Rude doctors do lose business, however.


As a patient, I asked my HMO to provide a copy of my breast x-rays so I could have a friend look at them. I put the request in writing, then was told ten days later to do it another way, which I did and then did not ever get any reply. "Nobody" knew what went wrong. Nobody works in every office I know of. Man that guy must be rich!