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:

1. Another health care provider for the purpose of providing continuing care to the patient to whom the medical record pertains.
2. The patient to whom the medical record pertains for the demonstrated purpose of obtaining health care.
3. The health care decision maker or surrogate of the patient to whom the medical record pertains for the demonstrated purpose of obtaining health care.
4. 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.