Release Of Information Process
request@varelamedicalgroup.com
All inquiries regarding records requests must be submitted to the above email.
Any other type of email correspondence will not be accepted, processed, or forwarded.
Varela Medical Group does not accept record requests by fax, email, or drop service.
All request for records must be mailed to our Process Center.
1142 S. Diamond Bar Blvd PMB 310, Diamond Bar, CA 91765 —DROP SERVICE IS NOT AUTHORIZED.
All inquiries regarding records must be submitted by email.
Our Process Center is only to receive correspondence regarding Records Requests.
Any other type of correspondence will not be accepted or processed.
Processing Fee
We require, in advance, a non-refundable Initial Processing Fee of $15 for every record type requested —as each record type is retrieved and processed separately. This fee is not for the total cost of records, and it is only to start the retrieval process.
Any request directed or in "care-of" to a Third-Party Release Of Information Company will be rejected.
Your Subpoena or HIPAA Authorization request must be directed to "Varela Medical Group". The Treating Doctor must also be specified in the request. You cannot request multiple records from one Treating Location. Records from any of our Treating Locations must be requested separately.
Varela Medical Group is not represented by any Third-Party Release of Information Company.
Production Cost
From the day our Process Center receives your request, your request is subject to TWENTY 20 business days turnaround.
Do not call for status during this period. We will update you by fax and email.
If records (digital, paper, storage) are found, a Final Production Invoice will be submitted to your office for approval. This Final Production Invoice must be made payable to our practice "Varela Medical Group" for our valuable time in making records available.
All payments for records must be payable to "Varela Medical Group"
Five 5 Days Download
Our practice will not fax, email, upload, or mail our patient's Private Health Information (PHI). Requested records information will be electronically delivered through our secure Portal. (High-grade SSL data encryption at transfer and 256-bit AES at rest).
As soon as your request is completed, we will notify you by fax or email. You can download your file as many times as you need for ONLY 5 FIVE DAYS, from our email notification date. If for whatever reason, a file needs to be re-uploaded, there will be an Upload Process Fee charged to your firm.
Personal Appearance
Subpoenas for Personal Appearance must be personally served directly to the provider, or to the most knowledgeable person who you are requesting to appear or testify at trial or hearing. Please have your process server indicate to the front receptionist that you are serving a Personal Appearance Subpoena. Any Personal Appearance Subpoena served by fax or email will not be accepted or processed.
Witness fees must also be included and payable to the provider's name at the time of service.
PLEASE read thoroughly the California Government Code §68092.5:
(a) The party designating the expert is responsible for any fee charged by the expert for preparing for the testimony and for traveling to the place of the civil action or proceeding, as well as for any travel expenses, unless otherwise determined by the court.
(b) The service of a proper subpoena or notice accompanied by the tender of the expert witness fee described in subdivision (a) is effective to require the party employing or retaining the expert to produce the expert for testimony. If the party serving the notice or subpoena fails to tender the expert’s fee under subdivision (a), the expert shall not be required to appear at that time, unless the parties stipulate otherwise.
Our Process Center is only to receive correspondence for Records Requests.
Any "Personal —Drop Service" will not be accepted or processed.
Referring Law Firms
Please DO NOT submit a request for records if you are a "Referring Firm". If you represent the law firm that referred the patient for treatment, you must specify this information in your request for records. This information is essential to better assist or redirect your inquiry to the correct department.
IT IS OUR POLICY THAT ANY OUT OF STATE SUBPOENA MUST BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A HIPAA AUTHORIZATION SIGNED BY OUR PATIENT