How to Request Your HCMC Medical Records Securely and Easily

HCMC, or Hennepin County Medical Center, is an adult and pediatric Level 1 trauma center located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This hospital houses nearly 500 beds, and the hospital system remains busy throughout the entire year. For this reason, many patients struggle to obtain their HCMC medical records when they go to find a new provider or want to give their relatives pertinent medical information.

The good news is that DoNotPay makes requesting your medical records from HCMC, and any other hospital system, easier than ever! With just a few clicks on your computer or taps on your smartphone, you can submit a request to get the important medical information you need. Learn more about how DoNotPay works below!

Does HCMC Charge for Medical Records?

Currently, HCMC does not charge patients to access their medical records electronically through the system's online portal. HCMC may charge small fees for hard copies of medical records, especially when attorneys or insurance companies are the ones requesting them on a patient's behalf. Each state has a maximum fee that can be charged for medical records, which includes both a per page maximum charge and a handling or finding fee.

In most clinics and hospitals in Minnesota, the following charges apply:

These fees don't apply to X-rays, which may come with additional costs for retrieval and copying. You can always ask the clinic for an estimate of the total cost before submitting your request. Finally, many clinics charge patients for shipping fees for hard copies, which can vary based on the requested shipping speed.

Are There Medical Records That Cannot Be Released?

Yes, there are some types of medical records that cannot be released even upon request. The most common medical records that are not allowed to be released are related to drug and alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and mental illnesses. There may be some exceptions in extenuating circumstances, but generally these types of records cannot be copied and distributed.

Medical records for children under 18 may be released to their parents or guardians, unless the child decides to authorize access to their parents after their 18th birthday. Caretakers who are involved in a patient's healthcare may also be able to obtain a patient's records. For more information about who can and cannot access which types of medical records, contact your clinic or hospital.

Obtaining Your Medical Records on Your Own

Every state has its own set of requirements for patients seeking their medical records, and an individual hospital system can give you more specific guidance about what you must do to get them and how long they are kept. Generally speaking, however, you can follow these steps to get your medical records on your own:

1. Log into your hospital or clinic's online portal
2. Locate a section to request your medical records
3. Follow the on-screen prompts and fill out all fields as completely and accurately as possible
4. Submit your request

After you submit your request, it may take several business days for you or another institution to receive your medical records. If your hospital system doesn't have an online portal, or you lack access to a computer to log onto one, you can also submit a request in writing.

When doing so, you must include the following patient information:

• Name
• Contact information: address, email, phone number
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Hospital ID or member number
• Which records are needed
• Delivery method preferred
• Signature

Once you have your written request drafted, you can drop off your letter in person or mail it to the correct branch of the hospital system to grant your request.

How to Get Your HCMC Medical Records With DoNotPay

If you'd rather avoid the annoying task of trying to get your medical records on your own, DoNotPay is here to help! To request your medical records from HCMC using DoNotPay, simply follow these three steps:

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.

Once you submit your request, DoNotPay will get right to work on getting your medical records sent to the right place in a timely manner. While you wait for them to get to their destination, you can relax or begin tackling other tasks on your to-do list!

DoNotPay Works Across All Companies

Helping you request your HCMC medical records is one of the many things we can do for you. DoNotPay can help you request medical forms from other entities, including Kaiser, Baptist, Mercy, and Cleveland Clinic.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do for Me?

Besides assisting you with complicated medical stuff, like obtaining your past medical records, DoNotPay can help you with all kinds of other unpleasant tasks, including:

• Earning free raffle tickets
• Signing up for free trials without getting charged
• Connecting with prisoners
• Filing a formal complaint
• Getting advance healthcare directives
• Requesting sick leave
• Locating birth certificates

If you're ready to get more done in less time with less effort, visit DoNotPay today to see how we can help!