How to Access Medical Reports

Accessing medical reports and records requires that you follow specific guidelines set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). According to HIPAA regulations, a patient has more control over his health information and who sees it. Protected Health Information, or PHI, is identified by the Privacy Rule as patient's information that is not readily available. This prevents health-care providers, group insurance plans and other entities from releasing PHI, which includes medical records and reports, without written consent of the patient. Even a patient seeking to access medical reports must follow specific steps.

Things You'll Need

• Medical release form

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Instructions

• 1

  Locate the medical facility that has the medical report. Generally, the ordering physician receives all medical reports. However, in a hospital, the reports are kept on file in the patient's medical records.

• 2

  Obtain a signed medical release form from the patient. Include the patient's name, date of birth and other identifying account information, such as patient identification number, on the medical report release. Also, provide the name of the person or company to which the medical report is released.

• 3

  Use the original copy of the medical release to gain access to medical reports. Do not copy the release or alter it in any way. Provide the medical facility with the date of the procedure to assist the records department with locating the report.

• 4

  Present the release to the physician's office, hospital or clinic where the medical report is kept. Upon written request, allow the office several days to copy the report. If you do not receive the medical report within two weeks, contact the office manager.