So I recently had to get a new G.P. From what I can gather, my previous doctor was a relatively new graduate, took ages to see patients (though was very conscientious, which is a good thing), and did not seem to get along with the other members of the practice which she had joined. So basically it seemed she was forced to move – and she chose to move to a completely different area of the city. She made arrangements with a husband/wife doctor team to transfer any patients who wanted a doctor in my neighbourhood.
I had to wait for a few months while they finished setting up their office (having moved to Toronto from another city), but I finally had my introductory appointment with the female doctor last week. She is wonderful. After years of “just okay” doctors and some frankly awful anecdotes (that are too humiliating to publish), I have found the perfect doctor! She was knowledgeable, down-to-earth, accessible, and even chatted with me like I was a pleasant acquaintance rather than a survey respondent! We took care of business such as renewing prescriptions, setting up an appointment for a physical, etc. and she also printed up a letter I could send to my previous doctor to request a transfer of my medical records.
So tonight I came home and found mail from the former doctor. It was a bill for $50 to transfer the medical files. Fifty dollars!!!! Okay, okay – for readers in the U.S. this may not seem like such a big deal, but this is Canada, home of Medicare! Furthermore, when I moved to Toronto, my former dentist didn’t send me a bill for the transfer of Xrays to my new dentist! Hell, even the veterinarian didn’t charge me for transferring the cats’ medical files to the new vet in Toronto!!!! So what’s the deal???? Is this just a doctor trying to pay off her student loans (which granted could be staggering) or is this happening to other people?
Fifty dollars … I think I might just take my chances that my health hasn’t changed that much and start fresh with this fabulous new doctor. Just on the principle.
2 comments:
I live in America and there is no way I would pay #50 to transfer my medical records! I don't blame you at all!
Hey Carrie,
Thanks for your return visit, and the comment! I'm glad I'm not the only person who thought that was outrageous.
Cool update, though: I called the office of my former doctor and told them not to bother with the transfer of records, as I was not willing to pay that much for them. Apparently I was not the only person to complain, and they said they would transfer the records without charge! Yay me!!!!!!! :->
Post a Comment