HealthSquiretm
Personal Health Record (PHR)
  • Q: How can I obtain copies of my health record?
    • A: Contact your doctors' offices or the health information management or medical records staff at each facility where you received treatment. Find out if your provider has his or her own plan for helping patients to create Personal Health Records (PHRs). Ask if your records are in an electronic format that you can access yourself, or request that they make copies for you. Also, ask your physician or health information management professional to help you determine which parts of your record you need. If you want medical records kept by your health plan, contact your health plan's customer service department.
      Ask for an "authorization for the release of information" form. Complete the form and return it to the facility as directed. Most facilities do charge for copies. The fee can only include the cost of copying (including supplies and labor), as well as postage if you request the copy to be mailed. It can take up to 60 days to receive your medical records, so ask when you can expect to receive the information you requested.
      return to top
  • Q: Am I required to pay for copies of my health record?
    • A: Your healthcare provider is allowed to charge a reasonable fee for copies of your health record. The fee can only include the cost of copying (including supplies and labor), as well as postage if you request the copy to be mailed. If you request an explanation of this information, you may also be charged a fee for its preparation.
      return to top
  • Q: I need to find my immunization records and I am unable to locate my physician. What should I do?
    • A: Even if your physician moved, retired, or died, his/her estate has an obligation to retain your records, including immunization records, for a period defined by federal and state law. Often this retention period is 10 years following your last visit (or until a child/ patient is 21). You may be able to locate your records by contacting:
      • Your physician's partners
      • The health information manager at a nearby hospital where the physician practiced
      • The local medical society
      • The state medical association
      • The state department of health
      If your efforts are unsuccessful, you may have to be re-immunized.
      return to top
  • Q: I am moving to a different state. How can I transfer my health record?
    • A: If you know the name of the new healthcare provider you may ask your current physician to send a copy of your health information. You may be asked to make the request in writing and to specify what information you want to have sent.
      If you don't know where you will be receiving care, you have two other options.
      • Once you have selected a new healthcare provider, go to his or her office and sign an authorization form, which the office staff will send to your previous provider requesting that copies of the information be sent.
      • Ask your current provider's staff to make a copy of your records, and carry it with you to give to your new provider, when you choose/visit one. You will probably be asked to pay for the cost of copying records, so you may want to ask for help determining which records your new provider will need.

      return to top
  • Q: My physician died and I'd like to know where I can locate the health record maintained about me?
    • A: Even if your physician moved, retired, or died, his or her estate has an obligation to retain your records, including immunization records, for a period defined by federal and state law. Often this retention period is 10 years following your last visit (or until a child/ patient is 21). You may be able to locate your records by contacting:
      • Your physician's partners
      • The health information manager at a nearby hospital where the physician practiced
      • The local medical society
      • The state medical association
      • The state department of health

      return to top

Coming Soon!!
Please check back frequently for our release announcement.