Someone is Demanding Your Patient's Records - What To Do?

Everyone wants your patient’s medical records. Defense attorneys, insurance adjusters, and combative defense doctors. Even juries, judges, and arbitrators will read your records. When you prepare your chart notes and your report, anticipate an audience. 

Well, Gary has a new form! Dr. Lewkovich offers Pro-Tips on what to do and not to do.

Some questions worth considering are: 

• Is the request HIPAA compliant?

• Subpoenaed records request are very different from personal request.

• Read the request carefully.

• How long do you need to keep the records?

To get your copy, contact johntawlian@shawnsteel.com.

Rise in Car Crash Deaths Prompts New Seatbelt Mandate

US drivers were driving less during the pandemic, but auto fatalities rose dramatically last year.

“Experts” are blaming people for not wearing seat belts. Risky behavior like speeding and driving drunk always increases risks. Over 38,000 people died in crash crashed last year. That’s 7% more than the year prior.

Some drivers argue that wearing a seat belt is a personal choice. We agree. However, I wear a seat belt because no one can really cheat physics. We’ve see too many fatalities where the deceased was literally thrown out of the car upon impact -- and the critical difference is the seatbelt. In Massachusetts, a survey shows that 4% fewer drivers are buckling up.

Juries are less forgiving if the evidence shows the plaintiff intentionally failed to wear their seat belt.