How to Write a Letter Requesting Medical Information

You may require copies of your medical records for many reasons. For example, if you are filing for disability, if you wish to become part of a class-action lawsuit against a medical company or if you are applying to become a part of an experimental medical program to treat your condition, you will need to provide evidence of your condition. Medical facilities are very careful not to release information to anyone without written permission; if you cannot visit the facility and sign for the records personally, you may write a letter requesting the records.

Instructions

• 1

  Type your address and skip a line. Type the date. Skip an additional line and type the name of the medical facility, followed by the agency's address on a separate line. Skip one more line and type "Dear Sir or Madam" followed by a colon. If you know the name of the receptionist, include his name instead.

• 2

  Identify yourself and make a direct request for your medical records. If you are requesting a specific record, such as test results, give the name of the test and the date that the test was taken. If you need copies of all of your medical records, make that request clear; otherwise, a representative from the facility might call and ask for all of the records.

• 3

  Tell the facility where to mail or fax the records and to whom they should be sent to. If the records are going to Social Security for a disability claim, provide your Social Security number as well as your case number and the contact information for your claim. If the records are going to you, reiterate your mailing address or refer them to your address at the top of the letter.

• 4

  Thank the recipient for her time. If the facility asked you to fill out a request form in addition to the letter, tell the recipient that the form is included in the envelope. Provide your telephone number and e-mail in case she has any questions about your request.

• 5

  Type "Sincerely," and skip three lines. Type your full name. Print the letter and sign your name above your typed name. The signature is especially important because without it, the medical facility cannot release the information.