Question:
How to get your medical records from a doctor who has disappeared

I live in KY. Dr. Alex Fabricio Argotte (weight-loss surgeon)saw me in 2005-2006. He got in trouble in Paducah, KY, moved to Indiana-got in trouble and then last I can find is Illinois-where he got in trouble. I badly need my medical records. How do you find a Doctor?    — Catchmeifyoucan (posted on March 7, 2012)

March 9, 2012
You could try sending a registered letter, return receipt requested, but I suspect you won't be able to obtain yur medical records. If you need medical care, I would suggest you start fresh with another physician. That physician could also request your medical records. Medical records are suppose to be kept for a period of years (not sure how many) but no way you can "make them" do it. And if he has "disappeared", but you are not gonna get your records. You could also report this to American Medical Association (AMA), just so they know...maybe, just maybe, they could help. I have found it helpful to get a copy of all medical reocords, test results, etc, sent to my PCP, and a lot of people start getting a copy of their own records at each visit and keep their own file. Good luck.
   — Jane W.

April 2, 2012
I work in a PCP office in this type of position. This doctor I understand has "disappeared" but he is somewhere and so is all of his information unless he doesn't mind going to prison when he reappears. If he is somehow affiliated with a hospital contact the hospital medical records department and ask them for who is handling his patients records retreival since he is no longer practicing. If not contact the medical board in your state advise them your dr has come up missing with your records and they should have information also. If there is something specific you need for your new PCP at least start getting records from your specialists because those will contain a little bit of the information. Regards, Peggy!
   — ex-biggin