Who are the lawyers for in-house imaging machines?

Adrienne Dresevic, a lawyer with the Health Law Partners firm, based in New York City and Southfield, Mich., says the new disclosure requirement underscores concerns among some lawmakers about physicians who refer patients to in-house imaging machines. “This is just the beginning” of efforts to tighten self-referral rules.

Do you have a right to a copy of your medical records?

Patients have a legal right under HIPAA to a copy of their medical records. Personal life-long medical records rely on patients’ ability to exercise this right inexpensively and in a timely manner.

Why are doctors allowed to have imaging in their office?

Bibb Allen, a Birmingham, Ala, radiologist and chairman of the American College of Radiology’s commission on economics, says when doctors have imaging equipment in their offices, it “increases the likelihood that inappropriate scans might be done because of the economic benefit to the physician.”

What are the new rules for in house imaging?

Now Congress has tiptoed into the argument. Under the new health care overhaul law, doctors who refer Medicare and Medicaid patients to in-house imaging machines must disclose in writing that they own the equipment.

Adrienne Dresevic, a lawyer with the Health Law Partners firm, based in New York City and Southfield, Mich., says the new disclosure requirement underscores concerns among some lawmakers about physicians who refer patients to in-house imaging machines. “This is just the beginning” of efforts to tighten self-referral rules.

Can a hospital provide a copy of a patient’s medical record?

Yes. By law, a health care institution (which includes a hospital and other health care facilities, see CGS§ 19a-490), must provide a copy of a patient’s health record upon the written request of the patient, his attorney, or authorized representative.

Bibb Allen, a Birmingham, Ala, radiologist and chairman of the American College of Radiology’s commission on economics, says when doctors have imaging equipment in their offices, it “increases the likelihood that inappropriate scans might be done because of the economic benefit to the physician.”

Now Congress has tiptoed into the argument. Under the new health care overhaul law, doctors who refer Medicare and Medicaid patients to in-house imaging machines must disclose in writing that they own the equipment.