The HIPAA can suck it.  Hard.  While I do thoroughly appreciate that all these privacy laws are, in fact, protection of my health privacy, I do not appreciatejumping through all the hoops and rings and other round objects just to get access to MY OWN records. 

It all began simply enough last week when I realized that I needed to get a copy of my records  to back up my disability claim...

So I call my doctor and the front office hag says that she can send me my records, sweetie, but she needs me to fax a piece of paper that says that I authorize her sending my records, honey.  My first thought is, "Lucky for me that my printer even HAS faxing capabilitites." My second is, Sweetie? Honey? I'm maybe 5 years younger than you, don't sweetie honey me.  Ick.  I realize that she deals with people who don't mind being "honey sweetie baby sugared" to death all day by a total stranger, but she also deals with adults who have a smidgen of pride  (ME!), and I feel completely condescended upon, and sort of ick factored out. 

I am making a vow to never sweetie/honey people ever again .... I must come up with alternate terms of endearment that are not condescending and not creepy at the same time.  Need some time to think on it. (I think I'll stick with "toots").

I can forgive this oversight in judgment on  sugar honey sweetie lady's part, but am also irritated that I have to fax something to the office just to get my records..... 

It is at this point  I also realize that while this practice is to ensure that I am who I say I am, it really doesn't verify me at all.  It just says that some person called and asked for my records, and then wrote a note saying that the records can be sent.  This does not protect me.  It simply makes me want to grumble aloud, much like I have been doing for the past half hour. 

Grumble Grumble Grumble.