Get copies of ALL your Medical Records - BEFORE 7 years have gone by!

In most states in the US, the law says that medical records only have to be kept for 7 years. In a few states it's only 5 years. Now that the records are digital, they could easily be kept forever, but be aware that as soon as the statutory time is reached, no time is wasted dumping your medical history.

You can get copies of your echo's and caths on CD. It's also a good idea to get films from chest x-rays and the tracings from the EKG's you have had. (not just the written reports) Those have to be obtained by special request and usually have a separate fee, but they are vital for future consults.

For the written records of hospital stays, if you ask for your complete file it will have all your lab results, and the nurses floor reports which include everything - your blood pressure, what you ate, every drug you had, temp, etc. This is important to have if you had any adverse drug reaction so you'll know what not to take next time - or if something worked well for you, its good to know what that was.

At most hospitals, you have to go in person, fill out a form and show two forms of ID for HIPAA privacy requirements, but that varies by state. If you specify that your records are being sent to your doctor, they usually don't charge for copies (paper records), but if you are getting them yourself, they can charge up to $1.00 per page. If it's alot though, most hospitals reduce the per page cost to quite a bit less than that.

hmmm well in colorado its alot longer than 7 years because I got mine after I had turned 18, it was probably more like 24 and I am 28.  My medical records at university from 1977-1990 and I requested a copy of them in 2001.  which is 24 years they had kept my medical records and I believe they still have them.

So I just want to let everyone know that all states are different and to check with your state hospital records.

Take Care,

Nikki born with Complex TOF

I wonder if the teaching hospitals keep stuff longer than other
hospitals? My old records have been destroyed. The hospital changed its
name and ownership over 10 years ago, but kept the same location so I was able to track them down - just not the records. They had been destroyed long ago. Fortunately I do still have the records in a storage unit in CA, but I haven't gone back to dig them out - yet.
I contacted the state hospital board and was told they can voluntarily
keep them longer, but in FL they are only required to keep for 7 years.

But this not only happens with hospitals - it's doctor's records too. I was able to find my old cardio from '77 (still practicing) but his records only go back 7 years. (so he says)

PS - I asked the state hospital board why the records are destroyed, and they said it was to reduce storage costs - and liability issues!

Post Edited (Famulus) : 8/15/2005 8:23:01 AM (GMT-6)