Ordering medical records online has become an efficient and easy way to obtain your records. In the past, you would have to mail the request and payment and wait for your medical provider to send your records to you. However, there are now services that will do this for you. Many medical providers have also partnered with online medical records providers to allow clients to have access to their records with less hassle and inconvenience.
Step 1
Ask your doctor if she provides medical records online and, if so, what website she uses. Many doctors and hospitals are now offering medical records online, so you may be able to get your records this way.
Step 2
Request your records yourself. If you cannot find a website that offers medical records online, request your medical records directly from your provider and have them emailed to you.
Send your request to the proper address or be sure to provide the proper address to the website you are getting your records from. Sending it to the wrong division or office could greatly delay the request.
Step 3
Sign a HIPAA form and submit it to your doctor with your request for medical records. HIPAA stands for Health Information Portability and Accountability Act and was designed to protect consumers from the misuse or unauthorized release of personal health information. Therefore, you have to give expressed written consent for your doctors to release your information.
Be sure you completely fill out the HIPAA form correctly. If you do not provide all required information, your doctor will not be able to release your records.
Step 4
Pay any applicable fees. You are usually charged a copying fee per page for your medical records. Many providers will require that you pay this before they copy and send your medical records through email or postal mail.
Be prepared to wait 30 days to receive your records. Your provider is allowed 30 days to process your request and send your medical records.
Things You'll Need
- HIPAA form
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