I always bill the 3rd party that is requesting the information. Especially since we can't ask a Medicaid patient to give us any money, god forbid.
So, if a school requests a letter clearing an athlete for practice or Penquis Cap asks for records, I send a short letter stating that while I would be happy to send this, I simply can't do it for free. My time is valuable, and I must be reimbursed. Please submit $18.00 (more effective if it is a weird number and not $10, 15 or 20 dollars), and I get that to you in 24 hours. I copy the parent. If the parent calls me demanding I send it, I simply tell them I can't unless the school pays for it.
Works about 70% of the time. Of course, if the parent really pushes it and their child would not be allowed to play, I send it.
The sad situation of it is they want a free letter to cover their medicolegal situation. It works best when it is used with the UCP, Penquis Cap, CHCSs of the world.
