How to Request Release of Medical Records Online

Regardless of why you find yourself in need of your medical records, getting them in your hands isn't easy. Each medical provider has its own process, but at the end of the day, that doesn't matter. Today, we're going to fill you in on how DoNotPay can help you if you don't want to do it yourself.

It doesn't matter if you're trying to get your medical records released from:

Kaiser	Cleveland Clinic
MUSC	And many more!

By the end of this guide, you'll know how to request your medical records on your own and how you can get your medical records released quickly, easily, and successfully.

Why Might You Need Medical Records Released?

There are a number of reasons one may need to . For instance, medical records may be required by someone's car insurance company if you are trying to get compensation for your medical bills. Also, you may need to have your child's medical records released if you are trying to enroll them in public school or switch to a new pediatrician.

How Do I Get My Medical Records Released?

To get your medical records released, you need a clear copy of your state-issued ID and a completed, legible medical records release form. If you don't have a state-issued ID, like a driver's license, you may be able to use another form of identification, like a college ID with your picture on it. Other acceptable forms of identification include:

Military ID
Passport book
Social Security card if you don't have a photo ID of yourself

What Do I Do With My Medical Release Form and ID?

The exact steps you will need to take to get your medical records released depend on several factors. That said, most healthcare facilities offer several methods for requesting the release of medical information to you, your school, or a different physician. Here are some of the most common ways to request the release of your medical records:

Visiting the healthcare facility in person
Emailing the request to release the medical records
Requesting the release of medical records on the healthcare provider's website directly
Mailing your request to release the medical records*

*Note, it is of the utmost importance that you know where to mail your medical records release form if you want to request the release of your medical records yourself. Every healthcare facility has its own policy; even hospitals or clinics in the same network may have you mailing your paperwork to different places.

For instance, you may have to mail your paperwork to Ciox Health in one state if you were treated at a rural health clinic or mail your paperwork to Ciox Health in a different state if you received health care at an urban clinic. You may want to call the healthcare facility and verify where your paperwork should be sent before you mail it off; you don't want to waste postage or your time.

How Long are Medical Records Kept?

By law, physicians must retain the health records of adults for no fewer than 10 years. The health records of minors must be kept for no fewer than 13 years. If you're being told that a healthcare provider does not have your records on file when you think they should, check the legal age of adulthood in the state that the healthcare provider is in.

You may think that you were a minor because you were 18 when you were treated, your state considers 18-year-olds to be minors, and the healthcare provider should still have your medical records. With that being said, if the legal age of adulthood is 18 in the state that you received treatment in, the physician that treated you is only required by law to keep your medical records for a decade.

Request Release of Medical Records With the Help of DoNotPay

Whether you personally need your medical records or you're trying to get the information released to a different medical care provider, trying to get the paperwork released on your own is tough. Luckily, the process of how to request medical records doesn't have to be. With DoNotPay, it only takes three quick and easy steps to get your medical information released to anyone who needs it.

Look up medical records on DoNotPay's website.
Enter the name of the health care provider you'd like to receive medical records from.
Answer a few questions about your provider and where you'd like to send the records.

That's really all there is to , just three little steps that can be taken from the comfort of your own home. That said, you can also reach out to DoNotPay if you have other medical records-related concerns, like: