Spryte Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 I need some creative ideas. We moved a little over a year ago. The kids had were not due for well visits, and I thought we'd wait till we need them again to find a new doc. No biggie. There's an urgent care around the corner and their old doc, who's seen them all their lives, is only an hour away. So, in May, I called the old office to get their records and take the kids for their well visits at a new pediatrician here. Uh oh. Our pediatrician's office had CLOSED. (And we are not the only patients in this position, either, ugh.) We have tried a ton of options for getting his records, but we are having no luck. We finally found a PO Box, which we think is maintained by the former doc, and found instructions to send a request there. So we did that about 6 weeks ago - we sent a snail mail request for the records. Nothing. No reply. I know, from the pediatrician that we are seeing now, for sick visits, that docs are required by law to keep the records for a certain amount of time. So I know the records exist somewhere. How can we get them? My only thought right now is to send another snail mail letter, and send it return receipt requested. Is there some specific wording it needs? FWIW, we have found a pediatrician to treat them on sick visits, but we cannot have well child visits until we have the kids' shot records. :( We have always been vaccine people, so now they are off of their vaccine schedule, and it's making me crazy. Aaaaagh! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kroe1 Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 (edited) The health departments of most states keep immunizations records also. Do you have office receipts or insurance receipts from doctors? That may have something listed. Even a flier with post immunization instructions might help. Did your kids do any activities that required immunizations records? Why did your physician close? If he was a lone practitioner, he may have filed bankruptcy. If so, a lawyer may have records. If he died, then a probate court may know where records are. Finally, look up a home number or address. Sometimes a family member will get the records. Finally, if he was affiliated at a hospital, whoever does credentialling at the hospital may know what happened. If he was bought out, the new owner most likely has the records. Edited November 2, 2016 by Minniewannabe 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 The health departments of most states keep immunizations records also. Do you have office receipts or insurance receipts from doctors? That may have something listed. Even a flier with post immunization instructions might help. Did your kids do any activities that required immunizations records? Why did your physician close? If he was a lone practitioner, he may have filed bankruptcy. If so, a lawyer may have records. If he died, then a probate court may know where records are. Finally, look up a home number or address. Sometimes a family member will get the records. Finally, if he was affiliated at a hospital, whoever does credentialling at the hospital may know what happened. If he was bought out, the new owner most likely has the records. Thank you. I'll see what I can dig up. I have tried organizations that might have had records (activities, etc) - no luck. We homeschool, so nothing with school. But there are a few specialists, for DS, that might have something. I think not, but I will check. She (old pedi) is still living, we've heard, I'm not sure why she closed. I think it was due to health issues, after a major car accident - the accident was years ago, but there were on-going issues. She wasn't bought out, unfortunately, just closed completely. I will check into the bankruptcy option. And the hospital idea is excellent - thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 The law usually requires records be transferred for keeping, either to whoever buys the practice or, if it is closed rather than sold, to another practice. You SHOULD have gotten a letter when this happened, but if you hadn't updated your address with them, you might not have. I would check with the licensing board to see if they keep records of who the records were sent to. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 The law usually requires records be transferred for keeping, either to whoever buys the practice or, if it is closed rather than sold, to another practice. You SHOULD have gotten a letter when this happened, but if you hadn't updated your address with them, you might not have. I would check with the licensing board to see if they keep records of who the records were sent to. Thank you! We didn't get a letter, but had updated our address. We are not the only family to *not* receive a letter, ugh. Our understanding is that the records are in storage in a small, rural town a bit farther away. That's what we've gathered so far. Their Facebook page listed the PO Box as a way to contact them for records, but ... no response from the inquiry we sent there. Thus, I'm hunting for new ways to access the kids' records, or another way to word our letter to the PO Box, or ... anything. I will check with the state licensing board, too, what a great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 My sleep clinic dr went out of business and my records were in storage. My PCP office found them online. They knew how to access that storage facility. Have you asked at your new office?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 My sleep clinic dr went out of business and my records were in storage. My PCP office found them online. They knew how to access that storage facility. Have you asked at your new office?? Thanks! Yes, sadly, they have no way to help. They're very nice about it, and empathetic, but it's frustrating! They suggested activities that might have records, schools, and specialists. They really just want the shot records. I'm ok with that for DD, but DS has a complicated history, and I'd like his complete records, but can live with shots only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Your state doesn't record the shot records? Both states I have lived in they are filed with the state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Here is a CDC link where you can see if your state has a database... http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-locate-records.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 Here is a CDC link where you can see if your state has a database... http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-locate-records.html Thank you! I will check that out asap! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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