Catch-22 situation with medical records is quickly solved

A woman contacted the Ombudsman for help obtaining copies of medical records. The woman had been granted Social Security Disability based on medical reports obtained from physicians and submitted to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The woman had been directed by the physicians to contact the SSA for copies of the reports. When the woman contacted the Social Security Administration, she was told to contact the physicians. The woman felt caught in a catch-22 situation and contacted the Ombudsman for assistance.

The Ombudsman contacted the SSA concerning the woman’s request. Staff at the agency reported a high volume of citizen requests and agreed to send the woman a CD of her electronic records. The CDs are provided rather than paper copies when the citizen’s folder with the agency is completely electronic, as in the case of this woman.

The woman later called to report that she had received a CD from the SSA. The CD contained a great deal of information, but not the particular medical reports she was seeking.

The Ombudsman is familiar with the agency CDs and believed the CD to be complete. The Ombudsman instructed the woman on how to check the CD for further information. The woman called later to report that a friend had been able to open the medical reports on his computer, and that now the woman had all the information she had been seeking and was satisfied.

THE OMBUDSMAN feature, a production of the Joint Office of Citizens’ Complaints, summarizes problems citizens have had with government and social services, utilities, schools and nursing homes. Contact the Ombudsman by writing to 11 W. Monument Ave., Suite 606, Dayton 45402, or call 937-223-4613, or send email to ombudsman@dayton-ombudsman.org or check our website at www.dayton-ombudsman.org. Please “like” us on Facebook.