Reviewing and getting copies of your medical records
Learn about how and when you can and cannot review and get copies of your medical record, and what your options are if your medical provider unreasonably refuses your request to do so. #5930EN
Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Usually. There are a few exceptions to this. See "Can my health care provider refuse to let me see or have a copy of my medical records?" below.
*Your provider must explain any abbreviations or codes in your medical records.
You must ask your health care provider in writing to look at and get copies of your medical records. The provider must honor your request "as promptly as required under the circumstances." They generally have 15 days.
Maybe. Your provider can charge a "reasonable fee" for your copies. You may have to pay up front. Starting June 6, 2024, there's an exception to this if you need the copies so that you can qualify for paid family or medical leave. In that situation, the provider can't charge you for copies.
In 2024, a health care provider can charge up to $1.24 a page for the first thirty pages, 94 cents a page after that, and a $28 clerical fee.
*If you need your records because you are appealing the denial of your Social Security disability or SSI application, you can get a free copy of your medical record once every 2 years.
Yes, if:
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They believe the information would be harmful to your health.
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It would tell you a source of information about who should stay confidential.
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It would endanger someone's health or safety.
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The provider used or gathered the health care information just for a court case.
A provider who turns down (denies) your request for any of these reasons must try to separate out what they believe they should not release and give you what they can.
A provider who denies your request because of a claim of danger to yourself or another must tell you that you can ask another health care provider to review the file to decide if you can look at and get copies of the records. You might have to pay the second provider to do this.
Talk to a lawyer. You might be able to get a court order forcing your provider to make your records available to you. You can also ask for money damages. If you win, you can also get lawyer's fees and expenses.
If you have a good case, a lawyer may represent you without a fee, and try to get attorney's fees from the other side. A lawyer might talk to you for free to see if you have a good case.
To find a lawyer, contact your local bar association.
Get Legal Help
Visit Northwest Justice Project to find out how to get legal help.