Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

stepmother impersonating mom

My daughter lives with her father and stepmother. I have her 43% of the time. The stepmother carries medical insurance.

For the last 4 yrs she has put her name on the mother part of the medical records with absolutely no mention of me.

Is this legal? Do I have any recourse? I went to the doctor today and they told me that I am not on any of the papers so I can not access my own's daughters medical file.

I do not understand how this is okay?


Asked on 4/26/07, 9:53 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Mark Johns Mark Johns, Esquire

Re: stepmother impersonating mom

If you have joint legal custody you have a right to access to the records as well as joint decision making power. You can enforce this through a contempt petition. I offer free initial consultations.

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Answered on 4/27/07, 5:11 am
John Gibson John W. Gibson, Esquire

Re: stepmother impersonating mom

I'm not sure about this. It may be that the health insurance policy does cover step-children and that's why she's listed. I don't know why the Doctor's office would refuse to give the natural mother access, however. It seems to me this is something that may be as simple as a telephone call to the doctor's office by the father or step-mother. Remember, it is the Doctor's Office that generates the medical records, not the insurance company.

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Answered on 4/27/07, 9:07 am
Glenn Brown Real World Law, P.C.

Re: stepmother impersonating mom

If you have joint legal custody and copy of the court order, take a copy of it to the doctor's office and ask the doctor or office manager to put a copy in your child's file.

I was a dentist before I became a lawyer, this sounds like a misunderstanding at the doctor's office and their attempt to comply with federal privacy laws.

If they don't cooperate after you provide them with a copy of the order then you may need an attorney to contact them on your behalf.

Good luck to you.

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Answered on 4/27/07, 10:10 am


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