Legal Question in Health Care Law in Colorado
Patient's rights to health care records
How can I get unedited copies of my medical records from my family practitioner? I want exact copies of ''paper chart'' that includes phone conversations with other doctors as well as exact copies of ''computer chart''. I am a registered nurse, now on medical disability. I was told by a fellow nurse that my chart is ''flagged'' and I want to see it and have copies of it. When I requested it, I received only a short summary with diagnosis, etc. How can I get it all? I read that the doctor ''owns'' the chart, but the patient ''owns'' the information about herself.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Patient's rights to health care records
Your question was posted some time ago and you may have resolved this issue by now. However, if you have not, you should be able to receive a copy, but not the original, of the entire unedited chart unedited by filing a written request and paying the copying fee charged by the physician's office. Some hospitals will require that you review the record with the physician present so that he or she can explain the meaning of the records to you. I am not certain if you are a Colorado resident and whether the records are from care provided in Colorado. Each state may have different procedures. My comments are related to Colorado, and certain exceptions may apply in limited circumstances, but in general you should have full access to your records in Colorado.
If you cannot, after paying copying fees (usually in advance) receive your records, an attorney may be able to obtain the records for you.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
