Home Featured Discussion Medical Records  They Are Yours!

In this discussion: 9/29/00 It's Friday's Feature Links 9/28/00 Yet another form, Basic Medical History & A Generic Living Will 9/27/00 More forms, sick of them yet? Physician List &  Surgery History 9/26/00 Let's get started! Here are some forms to get you on your way to keeping accurate medical records. General Information  &  Medication Information 9/25/00 Medical Records-They are yours! & You don't say?

They are yours!

In most cases patients have the right to review and receive copies of their medical records. The exception may be medical records relating to psychiatric or psychological problems or conditions and other instances in which release of the records might be harmful to the patient. 

Most states require that the request be made in writing, however your physician may authorize their release without a legal document. Personally, I call my rheumatologist's office a week after every appointment and request that my lab results be faxed to me. Other than the occasional encounter with a nurse having a bad day, they haven't refused to send them. 

Some offices will charge you to copy your records. States limit how much they can charge, for instance in New York they cannot charge any more than 75 cents per page and in Connecticut the maximum charge is 45 cents per page. Most states allow physicians may charge the actual reproduction costs for radiographic materials, such as X-rays or mammogram. However an individual cannot be denied access to information solely because he or she is unable to pay. 

We have created a simple form for you to print, fill out and sign, then mail to your healthcare provider.

Tina Underwood
Page last updated on September 23, 2000