Legal question

Joined
Apr 28, 2018
Messages
2
Hello everyone, my first post here.

My mother went to a dental group about a year ago. The treatment proposed was more than $7000, it included crowns and bridges and not sure what else. The problem is that she has had to go on average at least once a month because something broke or she has pain, they would "fix" it and she would be fine for sometime but then something else happens. My mom is frustrated and so am I, my wife suggested that my mom requests her records and my father in law a retired dentist would take a look at them.
I took my mother and asked the receptionist about the process of requesting records and she said it can't be done only if another dentist asks for them. I told her per HIPPA regulations she has the right to get her records, she said it was office policy and she would have to call a supervisor to ask about it, we left because I wanted to reasearch more. I talked to my wife and she mentioned how even in their website it says patients have the right to their records, she sent me the information on texts and HIPPA regs as well. I sent them an email saying my mother wanted to request her records and per HIPPA and their website she could do so by filling out a form and to confirm that since the receptionist had said it couldn't be done. They replied confirming a form wad only needed but saying I misunderstood, we went back filled out the form and they said the records would be ready in 15 days so we left. She had an appt a few days later because she had pain from a crown she did, she showed up and she wad told they could not see her anymore because she had filled out the form to see another dentist, when in fact she never said that. She was also told about lawyers and how she should not involve people when it was her decision. Basically they intimidated her, I went back in with my mother and asked if in fact she wad being denied being seen because she requested her records. The receptionist immediately changed her tune and said my wife had canceled the appt. Which was false.
I told them I would report them to the BBB and the dental association. I sent them an email as well, the never apologized or offer any resolution instead played the victim saying I was harrasong them.
We suspect they did something shady and will not want to give my mom her records we know they have to provide written justification as to any denial, so we'll see what they do.
In the meantime my mom still has pain and we have to look for another dentist.
Does my mom have any legal recourse on this? Should we report them for bad customer service or trying to deny her records? We think there is some kind of negligence since she's had to go back so many times and now they denied service. Should we contact a lawyer or wait for the records and then contact one? Thanks for any advice.
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2017
Messages
836
Solutions
1
It sounds like something is not right. Have you managed to obtain the records now? If not ask your new dentist to request them and perhaps seek his/her support for legal action if the work is negligent. You should be entitled to your records but I don't know the law where you are because I'm in another country.
 

Vote:
Joined
Apr 28, 2018
Messages
2
It sounds like something is not right. Have you managed to obtain the records now? If not ask your new dentist to request them and perhaps seek his/her support for legal action if the work is negligent. You should be entitled to your records but I don't know the law where you are because I'm in another country.

Thanks for the reply, my mom doesn't have the records yet, they're still within the allowed timeframe to give them to my mom. We just hope they don't delay them with some excuse. Again thank you
 

Vote:

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
8,021
Messages
23,628
Members
13,088
Latest member
cybervantage360

Latest Threads

Top