Can I legally be charged for my original x-rays if I want to take them to another Dr. for 2nd opinion?

I have gone to a dentist and had x-rays taken. My insurance has paid their part and I have paid mine. I would like a 2nd opinion. Instead of having x-rays taken again, I would like to get the ones I have already had taken. Can my dentist legally charge me for the original copies of the x-rays if they have been paid for through insurance? I am assuming that is what insurance has paid for on top of other services. Am I legally entitled to those original copies?

Can I legally be charged for my original x-rays if I want to take them to another Dr. for 2nd opinion?
In most states the doctor 'owns' the xrays and is responsible for maintaining them. The patient has the right to the information contained in the xrays (e.g. a written report and/or a copy of the films). The doctor has the right to charge a reasonable fee to cover expenses for providing copies of the films.





Hope this helps you. Best wishes.
Reply:The safest thing to do with your medical/ dental records, inc. x-rays and reports, is to keep them with you at all times. You never know when an emergency arises and you need your medical history at your fingertips. Film XPress puts your entire medical history on disc. www.filmxpress.biz for info Report Abuse

Reply:yes your entitled to your own xrays
Reply:The xrays are the property of the doctor. It is doubtful they will hand you the originals. They should not, however charge you more than about five dollars each for copies, unless they have digital, in which case, they should be willing to attach them and send them electronically to whomever you designate.





A better plan would be for you to ask the dentist to send them directly to the other dentist. He should not be reluctant to do so, if he is a good dentist and is confident in his practice.





If you are going to one of the chain dentist offices, they are a racket, and while I know there are probably a few good and honest dentists among their employees, I have found quite the opposite to be true in the few instances I know of people visiting them.
Reply:yes they can....that is their property...your insurance pays for the exrays to be done not to keep the pics......why the second opinion?
Reply:no
Reply:If you are planning on purchasing the X-rays from the Dr without return I belive they can charge you for these. Have you considered borrowing them and then returning them to the dentist?
Reply:I believe they could perhaps fax the x-rays to your other dentist. I don't think they should be allowed to charge but, if it is their offices policy then, they are allowed to charged you just for the copies only.
Reply:I believe you are. Why wouldn't you? That sounds like an annoying situation, like maybe someone is trying to cover their ***?!