Scott,
Yes, that does help. But, I do a few things differently or at least look at them differently. I have always sent ALL records for free unless an attorney requests them. They generally offer anyway. I never charge for records sent to a consultant. The key here is when I say charge for records, I am talking about charging the patient. Again, I wouldn't for sending records to a consultant -- that would be fairly ludicrous and counterproductive.
This may seem like an exaggeration and something others would disagree with, but I would have no problem copying records to a CD for one of MY patients ten times in a row. Couldn't care less. That is extreme but just making a point.
Now, I have only recently considered charging for the transfer of medical records to other offices. In my view it is actually the patient asking for the records to be transferred. I do have to admit that I am being a bit passive-aggressive. Guilty as charged.
As to sending records multiple times, we send the entire record (as allowed by law in Maine) to the new provider and, therefore, don't send them again. If the patient needed them again, we would charge. The irony is that it is also legal to only send notes produced by my office, but I do think that is not helpful for the patient.
Thanks for the information. It is very helpful.
