Know your rights

Written By Callie Caraballo

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: ULTRASOUND CARE IN TEXAS

You have choices. Here’s what to know.

As a patient in Texas, you have the right to be informed and to participate in decisions about your healthcare — including where you receive ultrasound services.

You CAN:

  • Choose where you receive ultrasound imaging

  • Obtain additional or supplemental ultrasounds outside your OB or provider’s office

  • Self-pay for ultrasound services at a licensed diagnostic imaging facility

  • Request copies of your images and reports (this is protected by federal law)

  • Share your ultrasound results with any provider of your choosing

Texas law does not prohibit patients from obtaining ultrasounds outside their primary provider’s office.

What your provider MAY do:

  • Require an in-house ultrasound for their own medical decision-making

  • Repeat an ultrasound done elsewhere for clinical or liability reasons

  • Decide whether or not to rely on outside imaging in your official medical record

This is a provider policy — not a restriction on your rights as a patient.

What is NOT accurate:

  • “You’re not allowed to go anywhere else for ultrasounds.”

  • “It’s illegal to have ultrasounds done outside our office.”

  • “You cannot get imaging elsewhere while you’re our patient.”

These statements are not supported by Texas or federal law.

Your medical records belong to YOU.

Under federal HIPAA law:

  • You have the right to access your ultrasound images and reports

  • You may request that records be released to another facility or provider

  • Records cannot be withheld to prevent you from seeking care elsewhere

Important to understand:

Having an ultrasound done elsewhere does not replace the care of your OB or provider. Some offices may still require their own scans — and that’s okay.

What matters is that you are allowed to make informed choices about your care.

Questions to ask your provider:

If you’re unsure how outside ultrasounds fit into your care, you can ask:

  • “Will you still require an in-office ultrasound for medical decisions?”

  • “Can outside imaging be added to my chart?”

  • “What is your policy on outside diagnostic imaging?”

Clear communication helps everyone stay on the same page.

This information is for educational purposes and is not legal advice.

We want what’s best for you, and for you to go where you’re comfortable and informed.

TUC- Improving the ultraound experience. Changing the way healthcare feels.

-Callie

Callie Caraballo