How to Easily Request Your Medical Records From Harborview Medical Center

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How to Easily Request Your Medical Records From Harborview Medical Center

You may have several reasons for needing copies of your or your loved one's . Your medical records are very important documents because they comprise information such as your medical history. Typically, your medical records are kept and maintained by your or your family member's physician. Additionally, having your family's Harborview Medical Center medical records can be very advantageous.

One example includes knowing how your or your family's genetics might impact you or their health. It can also help doctors gain a better understanding and facilitate quicker and more accurate diagnoses. However, compiling your family's Harborview Medical Center medical records isn't necessarily easy. With the DoNotPay's Request Medical Records product, you can quickly and easily gain access to your medical records.

HIPAA and Your Right to Access Health Information

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the HIPAA Privacy Rule (the Privacy Rule) gives patients the and enforceable right to view and receive copies of their medical records. However, there are some limited exceptions to the Privacy Rule. The two key exclusions are as follows:

  1. Psychotherapy notes, which are the personal notes of a mental health care provider documenting or analyzing the contents of a counseling session which are maintained separately from the rest of the patient's medical record. See 45 CFR 164.524(a)(1)(i) and 164.501.
  2. Information compiled in reasonable anticipation of, or for use in, a civil, criminal, or administrative action or proceeding. See 45 CFR 164.524(a)(1)(ii).

The Privacy Rule doesn't give you the right to access Protected Health Information (PHI) that isn't a part of designated records. The reason for this is that such information isn't used by healthcare providers to make decisions about patients. This may include the following:

  • Management records that are used for business decisions more generally rather than to make decisions about individuals.
  • Patient safety activity records.
  • Business planning and/or development records.
  • Quality of care assessment and/or improvement records.

What To Know About Harborview Medical Center

is managed by the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM). UWSOM or UW Medicine is a large public medical school located in Seattle, Washington. Since it has the only Level I adult and pediatric burn and trauma center in Washington, it has been designated as the Disaster Control Hospital for Seattle and King County. Its burn center is one of the largest in the U.S., known as a pioneer in treatments that include artificial skin products.

The innovative treatments have greatly diminished the mortality rates of patients with severe burns. This makes Harborview one of the most sought out medical centers in the country. Harborview Medical Center also serves Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.

Harborview Medical Center Contact Information

Mail325 Ninth Ave.

Box 359738

Seattle, WA 98104

Phone+1 (206) 744-9000

+1 (206) 744-3000

For emergencies, Dial 911

Fax206-744-9997
Emailuwmedroi@uw.edu
WebsiteHow to Request Your Medical Records | UW Medicine

How To Request Your Medical Records On Your Own

You may wish to request your medical records from your provider for various reasons.

  1. If your doctor is retiring, then you need to transfer your records ASAP.
  2. If you wish to switch to a new doctor, you also need to transfer your records.
  3. Avoid duplicate procedures: sometimes you need a copy of your records available at all times to make sure you don't get unnecessary or even harmful duplicate procedures.
  4. Have an electronic copy of your records: you never know when you'll need your health information at your fingertips, so requesting a copy to have on hand can save you trouble in a pinch.
  5. Update your personal health records: your health record is a way that you can have personal health information on hand not only for any doctors who treat you, but also for relatives, people with the power of attorney, or anyone else who may need to make quick health decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.

Requesting Your Medical Records Is Not Always Easy

However, you have to ask a given health care provider (hospital, doctor's office, etc.) to give you your records, and the process can be a bit intimidating. Hospitals and doctor's offices alike are known for slow, bureaucratic behavior, and it's not always clear whom to ask for your medical records.

Even though it can take work to get access to your records, it's your right under the law to receive them, so you should not be deterred. In fact, having your medical records available to you will make you a more informed and empowered patient, and it could help you improve your health care and remain in control.

How DoNotPay Makes Getting Your Medical Records Easy

DoNotPay has seen these requests before and knows how to write your health care provider a simple, clear, and effective letter that will get your legally-guaranteed health records for you in no time. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

  1. Look up medical records on DoNotPay’s website.

  2. Enter the name of the health care provider you’d like to receive medical records from.

  3. Answer a few questions about your provider and where you’d like to send the records.

And that's it! DoNotPay will send your request for medical records to your health care provider within a few days, and you should have your records received within a few weeks. DoNotPay can also help you with the following medical records issues:

What Other Medical Record Inquiries Can DoNotPay Help Me With?

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