Transferring to new ortho

[celtic47]

I'm moving for a new job and want to transfer to a new orthodontist to finish treatment. My current one is fine with that of course, but they say they need to know where to send my records. I said that I want to go for consultations with a couple of different orthodontists before choosing one (That's not crazy is it?). My current ortho's response was that the new one will likely need to have my records sent before my consultation. This makes sense of course, but what if I'm not comfortable with the ortho where the records are sent and want to seek consultation with different ortho? I'll likely be up for paying a record transfer fee again.

Has anyone dealt with this?

[oldfart]

Yes. I changed mine for the last six months of treatment. Remember you are in charge of where the records sent. Just have the consults first, find one you like, then have the records sent. Or why not just ask for your latest panoramic or records email to you? That way you can have at least them and you can share with the orthos you are having consults at.

[sirwired]

Well, if they are going to charge a fee to make a copy of the records, ask for the copy to be sent to you instead, and then you can just carry them around yourself.

[celtic47]

[quote="sirwired"]Well, if they are going to charge a fee to make a copy of the records, ask for the copy to be sent to you instead, and then you can just carry them around yourself.[/quote]

I asked about that and they said no.

[sirwired]

Assuming you are in the US, it is my understanding they cannot deny you a copy of your records. That's simply not legal; your records are yours, not theirs, although they may of course retain a copy themselves (and do not have to turn over things they cannot easily duplicate, such as models or non-digital x-rays.)

Ask to see a copy of their Notice of Privacy Practices (it's a document you probably signed as part of all your initial paperwork); their records policy is (or should be) there. If not, you may find this page helpful: http://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ ... ssmemo.pdf

[sizzletasticlily]

I moved from Seattle to Houston and they didn't need records they took their own x rays and did a consultation. I went to a top rated board certified ortho office. I'd have records only sent to the ortho you select if they want them.

[sandiego88]

Sorry, this is slightly off topic. I will be moving towards the end of the year and transferring orthos. I know each case is different, but would anyone be willing to share how much they paid to their original ortho then how much you needed to pay again to the ortho that you transferred to?

Thank you

[Beckett]

It all depends on original treatment costs and how much treatment had already been done by the first orthodontist and how much had been paid up front vs. monthly payments. Someone moving 6 months into their treatment is going to give you wildly different figures than someone moving 3 months from finishing treatment.

[oldfart]

I paid 100% up front, and got nothing back and had to pay for six more months after I moved. My original ortho charged me for 2 years, but treatment took three. So after two months his cost per appt had met what I had paid if that makes sense.