How to Get Your Medical Records
Your medical records provide a history of your health, keeping track of injuries and illnesses you have suffered, as well as treatments you have received. In addition to providing valuable information to your doctors, your medical record can serve as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit, particularly if your injuries required extensive medical treatment and physical therapy.
Whatever your reason for needing your medical records, it’s important that you understand the process of obtaining these documents and your legal rights. Find out how you can obtain your medical records and learn about the different laws that regulate your rights to these important documents.
HIPAA and Medical Records
Under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, more commonly known as HIPAA, people have right to obtain their medical records. However, like most laws, there are certain exceptions to HIPAA of which you need to be aware.
As outlined by HIPAA, you have the right to request a copy of your personal medical records. You may also access someone else’s health records if they give you written permission. This is common when you’re acting on the behalf of an elderly relative or another person who cannot request their records themselves.
Reasons For Requesting Medical Records
There are a variety of reasons why someone might need to request their medical records. They may need to review their health history for personal reasons, or they may need to share the information with another healthcare provider. Patients may also need to obtain a copy of their medical records for legal purposes, such as filing a claim for health insurance portability.
How To Request Medical Records
The process for requesting medical records varies depending on the health care provider. In some cases, patients may need to fill out a request form and submit it to the doctor’s office or health insurance provider. In other cases, the patient may be able to access their medical records through a patient portal.
What To Include In The Request
When requesting medical records, it is important to include all relevant information. This includes the patient’s name, date of birth, and contact information. It is also important to specify the type of records being requested and the timeframe for the records.
Timeframe For Requesting Medical Records
The timeframe for requesting medical records varies depending on the health care provider. Generally, it is best to make the request as soon as possible to ensure that the reco rds are available. The process can also take several weeks, so it is important to plan accordingly.
Costs For Requesting Medical Records
The cost for requesting medical records varies depending on the health care provider. Generally, there may be a fee for retrieving and copying the records, as well as for mailing the records. Some healthcare providers may waive the fee if the patient is requesting the records for personal use.
Obtaining Copies Of Medical Records
When requesting medical records, it is important to obtain copies of the records rather than the originals. This ensures that the patient has access to their records and that they are not lost or destroyed. The healthcare provider should be able to provide copies of the records upon request.
How to Verify The Accuracy Of Received Medical Records
In order to ensure the accuracy of received medical records, patients should always verify the information contained in the records. This can be done by contacting the health care provider directly, or by checking the information against other sources of information about the patient, such as their health insurance policy or military discharge paperwork.
Protecting Your Medical Records
It is important to protect your medical records from unauthorized access and use. This includes not sharing your medical record with anyone other than the health care provider who created it, and ensuring that your medical record is password protected when you access it online.
Obtaining A Copy Of A Medical Record
If you need a copy of your medical record but don’t have access to it through the health care provider or patient portal, you can request a copy from your doctor’s office or health insurance provider. In some cases, patients may be able to receive a copy of their medical records without paying any fees.
If you’ve been designated the legal guardian of another adult, HIPAA also allows you to access medical records. Parents can usually obtain a copy of their children’s medical records. Finally, it may be possible to get a copy of a deceased person’s records if they are needed to settle a legal issue related to their estate.Obtaining Medical Records From A Previous Provider
Patients may need to obtain medical records from a previous health care provider in order to obtain a complete and accurate picture of their health history. In order to access these records, the patient will need to contact the health care provider directly or utilize the patient portal if available. There may be a fee associated with obtaining the records, but in some cases, the health care provider may waive the fee if the patient is requesting the records for personal use.
Patients should ensure that any health records they obtain from a previous health care provider are accurate. This can be done by checking the information against other sources of information about the patient, such as their health insurance policy or military discharge paperwork. It is important to protect the health records from unauthorized access and use. This includes not sharing the records with anyone other than the health care provider who created them, and ensuring that the records are password protected when accessed online.
When requesting medical records from a previous health care provider, it is important to note the type of records being requested and the timeframe for the records. The timeframe for requesting health records varies depending on the health care provider and can take several weeks. The cost for requesting medical records also varies depending on the health care provider, but generally, there may be a fee for retrieving and copying the records, as well as for mailing the records. It is important to obtain copies of the records rather than the originals to ensure that the patient has access to their records and that they are not lost or destroyed.
Types Of Medical Records
While HIPAA grants you the ability to get copies of your medical records and view your original records, certain healthcare providers are allowed to deny your request if they so desire.
Psychotherapists, for example, can reject your request. In Tennessee, psychologists and psychiatrists also have this ability. If your medical provider is gathering information for a lawsuit, you may also be denied a copy of your health records. Finally, if your medical provider has a reasonable belief that giving you a copy of your medical records may cause you to harm yourself or another person, they can withhold your records.
Accessing Medical Records from Your Current Provider
Health care providers must provide patients with access to their health records, including their medical history and personal health record. Patients can access their records through their health care provider or through a patient portal. It is important for patients to be aware of their rights to access their health records, as some health care providers may not provide electronic records or may require a written request.
Patients also have the right to access their health record from the Department of Human Services. It is important for patients to understand their rights to access their health records and to ensure that they are protected from unauthorized access or use of their electronic records. Health care providers must ensure that their health care records are secure and that patients have access to their records in a timely manner.
Rules For Tennessee
In the State of Tennessee, health records are considered to be the property of the hospital or doctor’s office. If you want a copy of your medical records, you will need to submit a written request, and if they request is denied, your only option is to seek a court order for the release of your records.
There are certain circumstances where health records will not be released in the state of Tennessee. For instance, when a patient is in a state-run facility, their health records are confidential. Similarly, if a patient’s care is paid for by the state, their medical records are also confidential.
Request Your Medical Records
If you’re having trouble obtaining your medical records, or need help using your medical records to plan a personal injury lawsuit, you need to get help from the attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates. After your medical records request has been denied we can help you work towards a court order, and we also know the right way to use medical records for personal injury lawsuits. Contact us today.
