Headhunter

Cram, I did ask and both the College and Ministry of Health repeated exactly the same line... "The Ministry of Health allows for charges of $37.50 per file to be copied and a charge of $1.25 per page within the file, that is copied." They did suggest that it was up to the discretion of the doc to determin if they will charge the maximum fee allowed, which is what I have outlined above. Last conversation with the doc's office indicated that the they would be charging the max allowed under law. HH

Try using a piece of "Fruit Roll Up" on the trap... rub it with our fingers to make it plyable, then put it on the trap. It will harden and the rodent will try like H E double hockey sticks pull it off the trap. They are attracked to the scent. HH

Now that I think of it Big Cliff, I guess I did mean BOTH of you! LOL HH

Musky bait! Get a cedar plank and giver a go! HH

Cliff, as I understand it, the files are the property of the doc. That is, according to the Ministry of Health and the College of Physicians. Canadadude... I get what your saying, but I have to disagree... to my mind, which is suspect at best, these costs, in a social health system, should be considered the cost of doing business. That said, my real beef here is that a Doc, who I have never met, never been to her office, never filled out an information sheet, is holding our file hostage, unless and until I pay for them. The system in place is not designed with the best interest of the patient in mind, it's based on the all mighty dollar. In my business, our costs are factored into our charges to our clients. Those fees are agreed upon by both parties in advance of any and all work performed. In this situation, there are no agreements in place between the "consumer" and the service provider. They are a hidden cost that only bares it's ugly head, when the "consumer" is forced or decides to make a change. As of this note being written, I have not heard back from any of the media outlets I have contacted. Brian, I have no way to contact my former doc, as she is completely out of the picture at this point. Smally, I was not given the option to pay for a transfer... had I been, this thread probably would never seen the light of day. HH

Yah gotta love the man's spirit and enthusiasm. HH

Nice catch Kinger! And the fish aint bad either! HH

Yah get back home from spending the day on the water. Your hungry and your feet are sore... here's your solution! HH

Thanks for all the advice and thoughts here folks... and thanks Cram for the links. At this point, my wife and I are considering how much of each file we really need to retain. I'm sure, based on my recollection of my file atleast, it contains well over 25 years of info, as my file has moved a number of times between docs. I'm waiting for a bit to see what else I can learn here, as well as any responses for media outlets I have connected with. Coming to the conclusion that it's gonna cost me something, but I think we can narrow it down to a couple of hundred if we are careful in what we ask for... That being said, I still think it's a mockery of a travesty that the "consumer" has to pay for this type of thing. To my mind, this is a cost of doing business and docs should consider it so. I understand that each doc is running a small business, but their profession of choice, like so many others, has it's costs and they should be factored in to their budgets. Thanks again all! HH

I have drafted and sent an email to Sean O'Shea @ Global News, Investigative/consumer reporter. I'll update the board with any and all news. HH

Good point Bill! HH

Billy, I will not be drawn into the debate regarding socialized health care, I guess if you must take a shot, you must. I will not lower my own personal standards, that have served me, well so far, by writing a bad check. To my mind, two wrongs have never made a right. I have considered contacting local media about this, but based on some phone calls I have already received from members here, I'd be wasting my time... it seems like I am not the only one to have gone through this situation. It just seems to me anyway, that having all these tests re-done is not only a waste of money, it's also a waste of my time. Loosing half a day here and there to have the same things done, again, just rubs me the wrong way. Theat sais, I will obviously do what I have to do. I'm still looking for the win here, but it aint lookin good. HH

welcome! HH

Thanks to all for your thoughts, so far... As I understand it, doctors must keep your files for a period of ten years. M.O.H regulations. Doctors do not want to incur the costs of copying files when a change is made. They out-source this funtion to a third party who can and will charge the maximum allowed under law. Each member of my family has some sort of medical situation, that would be properly documented by the old doctor and our new doctor should have that info at hand, when making health decisions on my family's behalf. My wife and I have discussed telling them to keep them, but we do need some of the info contained in those files. Slop, I don't think that the doc taking over our files had to pay anything to our old doctor, she simply assumed all of our old doctor's patientsas well as the responsibility of maintaining and storing of our files. As I understand it, she takes all responsibility for those files including the 10 year storage rule. I have "threatened" to just show up and grab the files and was told in no un-certain terms that the police would be called. Again, as my son and wife have some issues that require our new doctor to be fully informed, I feel like my families health is being held hostage by a system that is acting contrary to their obligations as health professionals in this province. What keeps rattling around in my head is this; what if I was a senior on a very fixed income? This cost could potentially put an individual in a position where they have to decide between their health and eating that month. I appreciate all your suggestions, please keep 'em coming if you can. Thanks, HH

Hey folks! Well, our family doctor of the last 10 years has decided to quit family practice and take a position with the Ministry of Health. This doctor was the one who brought both of my children into the world and has been wonderful, until now, to me and my family. As a result of her business decision, we are now out a family doctor. But the real problem for us, has to do with our medical files. My family's files have been "transfered", without our permission, to another doctor. This doctor will be taking over our files. Unfortunately, this doctor is a three day drive and a boat ride away from our home. (Ok, slight exageration here!) In the mean time, we have secured a famliy doctor, much more local to our residence. The new doctor has requested our files be transfered to her. I connected with the doctor's office, the one who has our files and they have told me, that in order to transfer OUR files to our new doctor, we will have to pay a fee for copying. Ok, I think, I guess that sounds reasonable, but here's the kicker: The charges.... -for each file, they are legally allowed to charge $37.50. They are then allowed to charge me $1.45 PER PAGE in the file. -we are a famliy of four. My best estimate for the four of us will put us in front of a bill totalling close to $500.00. This is not a cost that I am able to easily absorb. I have to date, connected with the following: -Ministry of Health - they tell me doctors are legally allowed to charge for this -College of physicans - they say the ministry allows for these charges -my MPP- they tell me the Ministry allows for these charges -Privacy Commission - they say that I might have a case, but likely not (as my files were moved without my consent) So, what I am asking here is for any and all advice from this fine community... have any of you been through this before? Any suggestions that I have not considered. I really appreciate your consideration in this matter. I am open to any and all suggestions. Appreciate your time! HH

and again HH

How else will the troll become fat enough for us to properly cook if we don't feed him Doc! The correct answer has been stated, both actions will get you fined! HH

And again! HH

Roy, stay out of the water, the salmon and trout are after small, bright things, yah know. HH

But do they come in pink John???? HH

Metro has no name marshmellows on sale this week for $.99 a bag. Unfortunately, being they are no name, there is very little if any variety availble, just the standard large size and all in white. Good luck boys! HH

and again HH

There are plenty of Pike where the river empties in the French River, not far from Hartley Bay. Take a look at Allen Lake, near the mouth of the river and you will find plenty of pike... big one's well I'll leave that up to you. The river is quite small, more of a creek at the Killarney road... you might get a canoe down it... maybe. HH

and again... HH

And again!!!! HH