Records Refusal

[HeijoshinCool]

I had a number of tests performed at Chiang Mai Ram two years ago for lower back pain. Heading back to the States, want to take the results with me. MRI, bone density, blood work, etc.

I live down south, going direct to my flight in BKK. Called the hospital, gave them my patient number, the dates and the tests.Nothing. Called back. They claim they are not allowed to mail records, not even EMS with tracking at my expense. I was informed I'd need to come in person. Traveling from one end of the country to the other is ridiculous.

Any suggestions? Are they giving me the typical oh we can't do that routine?

[lopburi3]

Sounds reasonable to require your presence or at least your legal representative. EMS means nothing except someone signed for the package. You might be able to have transferred to a local hospital however; but that will require having a local doctor request them but that is only a guess as have no experience in so doing. Normally you also have to pay for copies to be made I believe.

[HeijoshinCool]

Sounds reasonable to require your presence or at least your legal representative. EMS means nothing except someone signed for the package. You might be able to have transferred to a local hospital however; but that will require having a local doctor request them but that is only a guess as have no experience in so doing. Normally you also have to pay for copies to be made I believe.

I have no problem paying.

I asked if they could send it to a local doctor, at his/her request. They said no. That, I should have mentioned in the post, was what I found strange.

[Sheryl]

I have run into this at other hospitals too. They do need some assurrance that the person who receives these records is you.

I was once able, with much difficulty, to get Bumrungrad to send me scanned copies via email after faxing a signed photocopy of my passport, calling repeatedly and some other hoops. But as you need films, that won't work.

The best you might possibly achieve would be for them to provide these records to someone you designate as your legal representative. You'd need to ensure that this person had an original copy of a power of attorney and probably also provide the hospital with various things yourself such as a signed photocopy of your passport and signed letter authorizing release of your records to this person. Evene this would be a special arrangement and it is very hard to get lower level administrative staff to deviate from normal practice, you'd have to go up to a higher level.

If you can't get them to agree to this, I'm afraid you might indeed need to add a r/t flight to CM to your itinery. But do insist on talking to a higher up first.

Whatever you end up having to do the potential cost savings from avoiding repeat scans etc in the US will be worth it.

[HeijoshinCool]

I have run into this at other hospitals too. They do need some assurrance that the person who receives these records is you.

I was once able, with much difficulty, to get Bumrungrad to send me scanned copies via email after faxing a signed photocopy of my passport, calling repeatedly and some other hoops. But as you need films, that won't work.

The best you might possibly achieve would be for them to provide these records to someone you designate as your legal representative. You'd need to ensure that this person had an original copy of a power of attorney and probably also provide the hospital with various things yourself such as a signed photocopy of your passport and signed letter authorizing release of your records to this person. Evene this would be a special arrangement and it is very hard to get lower level administrative staff to deviate from normal practice, you'd have to go up to a higher level.

If you can't get them to agree to this, I'm afraid you might indeed need to add a r/t flight to CM to your itinery. But do insist on talking to a higher up first.

Whatever you end up having to do the potential cost savings from avoiding repeat scans etc in the US will be worth it.

Okay, I understand. But, should they not send copies to a doctor at my local hospital, if he/she so requests?

Thanks-

[Sheryl]

They still need a release from you to do so.

[HeijoshinCool]

They still need a release from you to do so.

Okay, I can do that, I think.

Thanks.