How to Access a Medical Patient's Record

Various companies, such as insurance companies, employers and government agencies, often require a glimpse into your medical records. The information obtained from your medical records, like treatment from chiropractors and other medical professionals, including psychiatrists, provides details about your medical history and lifestyle. However, accessing a medical patient's records require following specific steps and adhering to federal and state guidelines.

Things You'll Need

• Medical records release
• Death certificate
• Executorship's documents

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Instructions

• 1

  Obtain a written medical records release from the patient. The request includes the patient's name, address, social security number and date of birth. The patient signs the request.

• 2

  Submit the written request to the health care provider via fax, mail or email. Calling and confirming the provider receives the request helps ensure the records arrive in a timely matter.

• 3

  Pay the fee required by the provider. According to an article published on the Connecticut General Assembly website composed by John Kasprak, Senior Attorney, charges for research and handling medical records in Connecticut may not exceed 45 cents per page. Other states, such as California, have set fees, like 25 cents per page for copied records, plus clerical costs.

• 4

  Supply the provider with a copy of the patient's death certificate and a copy of your executorship's documents if the patient is deceased. Contact your local hospital's health information department for alternative documents considered by your state.

• 5

  Review the medical records for accuracy. Compare the patient's information, such as social security number and date of birth, with the information contained in the records.