What Do I Do If A Place Won't Disclose My Medical Information To Me?

Question:

This may sound like a dumb question however, a local mental health clinic refuses to tell me anything about my own condition.
They diagnosed me with depression and anxiety however, I know
very little about my condition.

When people question me about it, I sound like an idiot or a liar.
I don't even know how disabling my condition is. People think I'm
just making it up.

This place not only won't tell me anything however, they seem to not have a problem discussing my condition with others without my permission or knowledge. They tell strangers more than they
tell me.

I'm ready to tell this place to take their diagnosis and shove it since
they won't even tell me anything about my own condition. I think it
is illegal but I'm not sure.

Answers:
They should have a release form that you can fill out to have your records released to you or to another doctor. You more than likely will have to pay, but the records are yours and you have the rights to get copies of them.

I can't see how they can withhold the information.after all it is yours. Insist that they give it to you. If they don't then tell them you are going to see a lawyer about it. Just be prepared.it might say things about you that you don't like.

It's against the law to disclose information about one's "file" to just anyone. For instance, there is a confidentiality act for employers, it is unlawful for the insurance company representing the company to disclose any information about an employee. The same goes for government disability recipients, no info is allowed to be given out. (I'm in Canada, maybe the laws or regulations are different elswhere)

First of all, you need to find a new doctor. I am pretty sure, that by law, they can't keep your own information from you. And they discuss it with others? How do you know that? If that's the case, I would report the whole place to the medical board. something just doesn't sound right!

Sorry you are having these kind of problems.

I can only offer two thoughts that may help.

Obtain the services of a local doctor who will request that he be sent a copy of your medical records.

if that fails, obtain the services of an Attorney - who for a nominal fee would "write" a letter to this clinic advising them that unless he receives all pertinent copies of your records within the next ten days he will be filing a law suit against them which will ask the Court for - Punitive damages, Exemplary damages, His Attorney fees, and the Court costs - and demand a Jury Trial!

This should do it.

What Do I Do If A Place Won't Disclose My Medical Information To Me?

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