Myrl Jeffcoat <wisgroup_leader@yahoo.com>
14 novembre, 2006 16:41
Responses to reader experiencing Dow settlement issues.
Readers - A few days back, I posted a question from one of our readers, who was experiencing difficulty with the Dow settlement. I want to thank all of you for your responses. I have posted them as follows.
Myrl
___________________________________________________________________
Hello, please don’t use my name, The SFTDC has my records before them and reviewing my case now, I spoke to someone there last week. They have been looking at my records now for well over 5 weeks and still no decision in sight, Guess I am going to wait until after the 1st of the year as I was told...They haven’t told me they want or need anything more.
Hope that’s the case..Good luck to us all, Dow wants all of to die so they wont have to pay anything...
Lady Still Waiting for over 12 Yrs
___________________________________________________________________
Myrl, I am shocked to hear that there are still women out there who have not yet received a penny!
A Reader
___________________________________________________________________
If she submit a disease claim - yes, a person would submit any and all med. records reflecting any portion of the claim.
Dow is requiring Certified Copies of records in some instances.
1. If a person's name does not appear on ea. medical record.
2. If a person's date of service does not appear on the medical record.
3. If a person's doctor does not appear on the record.
4. If a person filed a rupture claim but did not submit a path report - we hear they are now requesting a full set of records.
I think the way the question was presented was most likely a misunderstanding of policy. That is why it is some very important to make sure the Claims Office explains the WHY part and the person on the other end understands the reason!
Kindly,
Kathy
___________________________________________________________________
Hello Myrl,
This is Ruby Bartlett and feel free to use my name.
The state of Texas changed their laws a few years ago to something like this.
Doctors only have to keep their records a total of five years.
Hospitals only have to keep their records for a total of 20 years.
I saw a doctor there who diagnosed me with Lupus (yes, I do have Lupus) and he didn't treat me but knew this was for Dow. He sent me to another doctor. And yes, he destroyed my record at the end of five years. The hospital also destroyed my record proving my implants are Dow.
Asking a doctor in Texas will not get your records saved. Get a copy of your entire file if it is in Texas or it will be lost to you at the end of five years. Or 20 years if it is a hospital record.
I have no idea about any other state.
Ruby
___________________________________________________________________
Perhaps someone has suggestions for this sister?? My attorney has a copy of all my medical records -- I don't know if I will face the same request from Dow when my name comes up??
Anybody had any experience with this??
Carolyn
___________________________________________________________________
This is odd since hospitals are to keep those records. I was able to obtain all of mine upon request. It took a few weeks but I got them. They are on microfilm in Texas and the hospital was in Hershey, PA . If she is still seeing these doctors they are not allowed by law to destroy any medical records until you have not seen that particular physician for 7 years. I think she needs to contact her Medical Board in her home town and file a complaint to start with. How any medical facility can or would destroy medical history is beyond my realm of thinking. That is terrible for her and horrible for her to be going through. Will keep her in my prayers.
Hugs, Joyce
___________________________________________________________________
We just sent the question to the primary Players - David Austern - Ernie - Dianna and Sybil. When they respond we will forward an answer.
(a) Did she make a claim for disease compensation ‘years ago’ and NOT provide any medical records to back up her claim?
(b) Or did she submit ‘copies’ of medical records and now DC wants certified copies of the very same documents?
If DC already has copies and is looking for ‘certification’ of such documents direct from the clinic, that might be something objectionable. However, if they suspect documents are not real and are therefore asking for certification I wouldn’t think that would be out of line.
I don’t know what kind of a ‘clinic’ would destroy any records (no matter how old). Many times the files are archived and it is a pain in the butt for staff to go searching for, but ‘destroyed’ ??
Bottom line is when a person makes a claim, they are obligated to provide proof of what they are claiming. If she can’t for any reason, then she is in a world of hurt.
If you find out more specific information about exactly what her situation is, please let me know.
