23 Jan 2 New Resources for Patients: Accessing Medical Records
As a resource for patients, their families, and advocates, we are happy to announce our publishing of a new quick guide, our “Quick Guide to Accessing Medical Records.”
Why does accessing your medical records matter? Having access to your medical records allows you to double check important information relevant to your care, share information with caretakers, apply for disability benefits, and appeal health coverage denials, to name a few. Our new quick guide provides a more comprehensive list of the many reasons to exercise your right to copies of your medical records.
What else do I need to know? In order to access your medical records, you should familiarize yourself with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This law grants you the right to receive, inspect, and review copies of your medical records, usually within 30 days of making your request.
How can I find out more? Visit our new quick guide, which answers the following questions:
- Who is required to protect your medical information under HIPAA?
- When can I request my medical records?
- Will my unpaid bills affect my ability to retrieve my medical records?
- How much is it to request a copy of my medical records?
- In what formats can I receive my medical records?
- After I request my medical records, how soon should I expect to receive them?
- Do I have to get the full medical record or can I receive a partial record?
- What do I do if I want to correct something in my medical record?
- Who do I contact if I am denied access to my medical records?
To learn more about why and how to access your medical records, visit our quick guide here or go to our websites “Resource” tab and click “materials,” then scroll down to the “health insurance” section.
How can I get help gathering my medical records?
Triage Cancer is also excited to announce our partnership with Ciitizen, a free online resource that helps cancer patients quickly and easily request their full medical records from all of their providers. Getting help from Ciitizen to gather your medical records can save you time and energy, and maybe even some money. Having control over your medical records is one key to navigating the many practical and legal issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.
To learn more and sign up for Ciitizen, please visit
www.ciitizen.com/TriageCancer.
