Copies of medical records
If your complaint
relates to a physician�s failure to provide copies of your medical
records, you should be aware that:
- The
physician is not compelled to release your records unless you
have provided him/her with a written request specifying where
such records are to be sent.
If you have not made a written request for your records,
and have not waited a reasonable period of time, the alleged failure to
provide records will not be investigated.
- A health care provider may charge
a reasonable fee for copies of medical records if the medical records will not be used for
the demonstrated purpose of obtaining health care.* Reasonable fee is not defined in statute.
*A health care provider or contractor shall not charge for the pertinent information contained in medical records provided to:
- Another health care provider for the purpose of providing continuing care to the patient to whom the medical record pertains.
- The patient to whom the medical record pertains for the demonstrated purpose of obtaining health care.
- The health care decision maker or surrogate of the patient to whom the medical record pertains for the demonstrated purpose of obtaining health care.
- The Arizona medical board or an officer of the department of health services or the local health department requesting records pursuant to section 36-662.