Co-Authored By:
The Privacy Rule under the Health InsurancePortabilityand Accountability Act (HIPAA) allows you to receivecopies of yourmedical records, whether they're held byhealth careproviders or your insurance company. Under this rule,providerscannot deny your request for records if you owethemmoney.
Consequently, how long does it take for medical records to be transferred?
In fact, HIPAA allows providers 30 days to completearecord request. It also allows a single 30-dayextension,but the facility must explain to the requestor the causeof thedelay. Most facilities, however, do not require thatmuchtime—many can fulfill a request in five to10days.
Also know, can a doctor refuse to release medical records to another doctor?
Unless otherwise limited by law, a patientisentitled to a copy of his or her medical record andaphysician may not refuse to provide therecorddirectly to the patient in favor of forwardingtoanother provider. 5. Physicians can charge patientsaflat fee for medical records.
When a practice closes and medicalrecordsare transferred, patients should be notified that theymaydesignate a physician or another provider who can receive a copyofthe records. Copies of medical records willbereleased to a person designated by the patient only withthepatient's written request.