Your medical or healthcare records—all the notes, lab results, X-rays, billing statements, and more—that are generated from your interactions with healthcare providers (and others), are an important part of your medical care.
The law guarantees that you have the right to access this information to help you make better medical decisions.
Let’s look at what’s in these records and how you can access this information.
What Information Does a Medical Record Contain?
Most medical or healthcare records are maintained and shared electronically. These records may include the following:
Who Can Request My Medical Records?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA) of 1996 states that a patient generally has the right to get copies of his or her medical records. Federal law says that you have the right to request medical records if (i) you’re the patient or the parent or guardian of the patient whose records are being requested; or (ii) you’re a caregiver or advocate who has the patient’s written permission.
Note that you may have unintentionally granted a third party the right to access you records when registering with them (perhaps in the fine print). This might include insurance companies, hospitals, clinics, labs, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and billing providers.
You have the right to view and get a copy of your medical records in full, even if you haven’t paid a provider, and Michigan medical practitioners, hospitals, and labs must keep adult medical records for at least seven years.
It’s important to understand that you may be denied access to some mental health records, which are considered “impressions” rather than diagnoses. Also, disclosing this may harm the provider-patient relationship if the records are misinterpreted.
Finally, under federal law, you can also be denied access to medical information compiled for use in a lawsuit.
How Can I Obtain a Copy of My Medical Records?
Under federal law, you’re permitted access and to make copies of your medical records.
Many medical practices have a convenient online patient portal, like MyChart, for patients to access their medical records on demand. These secure websites let patients make appointments and send messages directly to doctors and other providers.
If a provider doesn’t have an online portal, you’ll have to ask for the records by phone or email. Most offices have forms to complete. For example, to request a copy of your medical records (for personal use or for another healthcare provider) at the University of Michigan Health-West, you can download, print and complete the Release of Information Authorization form found on the MyHealth website. You can fax or mail your completed request to the appropriate medical center. Trinity Health Michigan records include lab and imaging reports, emergency visits, inpatient and surgical stays, and all other procedures the patient has while at the facility. And to obtain a copy of a patient’s medical record at Corewell Health, you can submit a completed Release of Information Authorization form.
You should examine your medical records and determine if there are any errors or omissions. You should see that these are corrected to be sure they don’t complicate your future care.
Takeaway
Knowing what’s contained in and how to get your medical or healthcare records can give you better control over your medical decisions. In addition, you’ll have a better idea who can access your records without your consent (such as health insurers and billing agencies) and who can’t.
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