How DoNotPay Can Help You Request Medical Records from MelroseWakefield Hospital

MelroseWakefield Healthcare, formerly Hallmark Healthcare System, provides a coordinated system of hospitals, physicians, and community services for northern suburban Boston. The system includes two hospitals: Lawrence Memorial Hospital and MelroseWakefield Hospital. It also partners with Boston's Tufts Medical Center for advanced medical care.

If you were a patient of this provider, how do you get a copy of your medical records? What if you want medical information on services from a physician in the system? Is there a separate address for services rendered under Hallmark Healthcare System? What if you want access to your MelroseWakefield Hospital medical records? Where do you begin?

Why Would You Want a Copy of Your MelroseWakefield Hospital Medical Records?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) gives you access to most of your health records. You don't need a reason to ask for your records. Sometimes you may need them because:

• You are changing primary care provider
• You are asking for a second opinion
• You need to see a specialist
• You are filing an insurance claim

If you are considering filing a lawsuit, you might need medical records to support your case. Whatever the reason, HIPAA ensures you receive the information on time.

Can MelroseWakefield Hospital Charge for Medical Records?

The short answer is Yes. However, you will need to ask if costs will be incurred as the hospital does not indicate the exact charges. They do indicate that the costs "will be reasonable". Depending on the age of the records, they may be in electronic form and physical copies would not be required. However, the file size of an electronic record may determine how the information will be delivered.

Does MelroseWakefield Hospital Restrict Release of Medical Records?

MelroseWakefield Hospital does not release information on the following unless specifically requested by patients or their representatives.

• Treatment for alcohol or substance use
• Test results for HIV/AIDS screening
• Genetic test results
• Counseling information for rape or sexual assault
• Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
• Counseling information on domestic violence

MelroseWakefield Hospital does not release the personal notes of mental healthcare professionals. Personal notes are considered the property of the healthcare professional.

How to Request Medical Records from MelroseWakefield Hospital

The best place to start is the hospital's website to download a release form entitled Authorization to Use and Disclose Protected Health Information. You may also use an app to view your medical records online and request the release of records.

The following table lists the contact information to request your MelroseWakefield Hospital medical records.

Website

Once you have downloaded and printed the release form, use the following steps to complete and return the form to MelroseWakefield Healthcare System.

1. Check that the form says MelroseWakefield and not Hallmark Healthcare Medical System (HHMS).
2. Enter the physician's name or facility where treated.
3. Indicate the dates of treatment.
4. Initial any restricted documents you want to be included.
5. Sign the document.
6. Return to MelroseWakefield.

You must include documentation verifying your right to request medical information if you are not the patient. The request is only valid for six months.

Apps

MelroseWakefield uses third-party apps that allow online viewing of medical records. How you access the information or request a medical release form depends on the app you are using. However, you must submit a request form to have information released to a third party. If you cannot find a form on the app, you can access it through their website.

How to Request Medical Records Using DoNotPay

Rather than hunt down a form, print it, complete it, and return it, let DoNotPay's online service request your medical records. Just use the following three steps to start your request for medical records.

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.

MelroseWakefield Hospital is just one of the many healthcare providers that DoNotPay can request medical records from. They can ask for records from organizations such as Mercy, Baptist, Kaiser Permanente, and the Cleveland Clinic.

DoNotPay's online service can help with other medical issues. Do you need help with advanced healthcare directives? Do you know how to request sick leave? Just go to their website and click on the service you want.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay can help with more than medical or healthcare concerns. The service can help with hundreds of life's little irritants such as:

• Requesting a Birth Certificate
• Reporting Utility Outages
• Requesting City Repairs
• Closing a Bank Account

They can even help you appeal a parking ticket.

DoNotPay can save you time by filing paperwork for you. They can reduce your stress by removing things from that ever-growing "do list." They can even save you money by helping you with free hotel upgrades. Whatever life sends your way, DoNotPay has an online service to help.