Get It, Check It, Use It
You have a right to your health record — and it can help you take control of your health, well-being, and safety.
Learn How to Get Your Health Record
The Guide to Getting & Using Your Health Records is for patients who want to get their health records. This guide is also for people who care for a patient, like a minor child or an elderly parent. A health record (also known as a medical record) is a written account of a person’s health history. It includes medications, treatments, tests, immunizations, and notes from visits to a health care provider. Most hospitals and other large health care providers keep patient data in computerized systems called electronic health records (EHRs), which make it easy to find information to treat you, or to share with you.
You have a right to your health record
A federal law called the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule gives you the right to see and get a copy of your health record. Health plans and most — including most doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, labs, and nursing homes — must follow this law.
Yet it can be a real challenge to get your health record if you’ve seen providers in different places. Each one may require you to follow a different process when asking for your health record.
We’ll show you how to get your health record — and use it
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created this guide to help you through the process of getting your health record. We’ll show you how to make sure your records are correct and complete — and how to use them to get the most out of your health care. This guide focuses on getting records from your health care providers, but you also can use it as a guide for getting records from your health plan.
This guide won’t provide you with your health record but instead will teach you how to request it from your health care provider.
What is a health app?
A health app is a program that tracks things like how many steps you take and calories you eat. There are also health apps that help you manage your health record from your phone or tablet.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Ask for the information you need the way you need it — like part or all of your record, a paper or electronic record, and the number of copies you need
- Request a copy of your health record from your provider — including how to fill out a form asking for your record
- Find and fix mistakes in your health record — like what to look for and how to have a mistake fixed
- Use, share, and manage your health information — including what to look for in a health app
Quick Quiz: Know Your Rights Under HIPAA
How much do you know about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule? Select the option that best answers the question.
True or false? The HIPAA Privacy Rule is a federal law that protects:
- The privacy of your health information
- Your right to see and get your health records
A is correct! HIPAA protects the privacy of your health information and your right to see and get your health record. To learn more, visit HHS.gov/HIPAA
Actually, the correct answer is A! HIPAA protects the privacy of your health information and your right to see and get your health record. To learn more, visit HHS.gov/HIPAA
When asking for your health record, you can request which of the following formats?
E is correct! According to federal law, your provider is required to provide you with a paper, an electronic or other media copy of your health record. For more information, watch the video “Your Health Information, Your Rights.”
That’s right, you can ask for an electronic file. In fact, according to federal law, your provider is required to provide you with an electronic, paper copy or other media, like x-ray images of your health record. For more information, watch the video “Your Health Information, Your Rights.”
That’s right, you can ask for a paper copy. In fact, according to federal law, your provider is required to provide you with an electronic, paper copy or other media, like x-ray images of your health record. For more information, watch the video “Your Health Information, Your Rights.”
That’s right, you can ask for other media, like x-ray images. In fact, according to federal law, your provider is required to provide you with an electronic, paper copy or other media, like x-ray images of your health record. For more information, watch the video “Your Health Information, Your Rights.”
Actually, the correct answer is D! According to federal law, your provider is required to provide you with a paper, an electronic copy or other media of your health record. For more information, watch the video “Your Health Information, Your Rights.”
True or false? Even if you haven’t paid your health care bills, your doctor must provide your health record.
A is correct! According to federal law, you are entitled to see and get your health record, even if you haven’t paid your health care bills.
Actually, the correct answer is A! According to federal law, you are entitled to see and get your health record, even if you haven’t paid your health care bills.
You are allowed to share your health record with:
E is correct! You can share your health record with anyone you want. Before you share your health record, consider taking steps to keep it secure. Learn how to protect your personal information.
That's right, you can share your health record with your doctor. In fact, you can share it with anyone you want. Before you share your health record, consider taking steps to keep it secure. Learn how to protect your personal information.
That's right, you can share your health record with your family. In fact, you can share it with anyone you want. Before you share your health record, consider taking steps to keep it secure. Learn how to protect your personal information.
That's right, you can share your health record with your lawyer. In fact, you can share it with anyone you want. Before you share your health record, consider taking steps to keep it secure. Learn how to protect your personal information.
Actually, the correct answer is E! You can share your health record with anyone you want. Before you share your health record, consider taking steps to keep it secure. Learn how to protect your personal information.
