Did You Know? You Have The Right To Access Your Health Information

How to get a copy of your medical records

Many people are not aware that they have a right to access their health information for such purposes as:

•     Viewing their medical information
•     Getting a copy of their medical records / billing records
•     Correcting inaccuracies in their medical file
•     Sending a copy of their medical records to a third-party

According to one government source, at least 27% of Americans do not know that they have a right to electronic copies of their medical records (as well as paper copies).

It is important to know what is in your medical record and to correct any errors or omissions. (See: The Problem with Problem Lists.) 

Know Your Patient Rights

These rights are part of The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). In most cases, your health provider must give you your records within 30 days. If your information is not maintained or accessible on-site, it may take up to 60 days. There are some exceptions that may require an extension, and in a few special cases, you may not be able to receive all of your information. For the finer points please see: Your Health Information Rights.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has a video series explaining your rights and how to receive a copy of your medical records at https://www.healthit.gov/access.


View all videos in the series



Lubin & Meyer PC
New England's Leader in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law
Attorneys practicing in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island

Safeguarding A Patient's Right To Secure and Reliable Medicine

Lubin & Meyer partner Robert M. Higgins is featured on the cover of New England's Best Lawyers published May 1st in The Boston Globe. Higgins, who was previously named Boston's 2015 Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law (by Best Lawyers®), is also included in a cover story where he describes his firm's leadership in pursuing the rights of patients and promoting change for safer healthcare practices.

“The fact is, medical mistakes are endemic to our health care system. They are one of the leading causes of death in this country, and as a firm, it is not only our mission to achieve maximum compensation for our clients, but also to ensure patient safety for the general public.”

— Robert M. Higgins

In the article founding partner Andrew C. Meyer, Jr., also a Best Lawyers®  Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice in 2011, comments on Higgins:

“Robert has earned such a high level of respect among other leading lawyers in this field because of his consummate professionalism, integrity, and abilities. The tenacity he brings to his cases and his unparalleled track record serve as benchmarks for all the attorneys at our firm.”

Higgins and Meyer, along with their colleagues at the firm are known as relentless advocates for the rights of injured patients — always pushing for a better standard of care, exposing substandard treatment at many institutions and, ultimately helping to create safer hospital environments.

See the full article here: Robert Higgins.

View our main website at LubinandMeyer.com - Lubin & Meyer PC - New England's Leader in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law

Attorneys practicing in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.