How to Access Riverside Community Hospital Medical Records

Riverside Community Hospital is nationally recognized for many accomplishments and accreditations in several medical specializations. The 478-bed facility serves southern California's Inland Empire and surrounding communities as a designated Level I Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, and fully accredited Chest Pain Center.

As is the case with all U.S. medical providers, Riverside Community Hospital protects its patients' medical records in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Patients and their representatives must go through the proper channels to request copies of the records to ensure the confidentiality of their sensitive medical information.

This article will detail the procedures to access your medical records at Riverside Community Hospital, along with additional information on why and when you will need to access them. You will also learn how DoNotPay streamlines this process so that you receive your medical records faster and easier than if you were to request them on your own.

HIPAA and Your Right to Access Health Information

HIPAA was signed into law in 1996 to prevent patient health care information from being disclosed to providers and businesses without the patient's consent. The act also provides patients and their representatives the right to access the records upon request.

The privacy rule states that health care providers are not required to share your medical information with family or friends unless they authorize them to do so. Your records can be shared with others under the following circumstances:

• You have given consent to the health provider to share the information.
• The family and/or friends are involved in your care or are paying for your care.
• You have no objection to your information being shared with them.
• The provider may use their judgment to release the records to them if they believe you would not object.

When You May Need Your Medical Records From Riverside Community Hospital

There are several common reasons why you may need access to your medical records. These include the following:

1. You are establishing care with a new specialist and would rather deliver the records yourself.
2. You are leaving the area and will need them for your new providers.
3. Social Security requires them for your disability claim.
4. You are compiling your medical history for your family.

How Long Are Riverside Community Hospital Medical Records Kept?

The State of California requires providers to maintain records for the following time periods:

• Medi-Cal patient records must be maintained for a period of ten years.
• HMO medical records must be maintained for a minimum of two years.
• Workers' Compensation case records must be maintained for five years.
• Licensed health providers shall maintain records for a minimum of seven years following patient discharge.

Medical Record Information That is Restricted From Release

There are specific cases where hospitals may legally restrict information.

• Any psychotherapy notes that document or analyzes the patient's counseling session. These are maintained separately from the rest of the patient's medical records.
• Information from the record that is compiled in expectation of a civil, criminal, or administrative action.
• Certain quality assessment and patient safety activity records.
• Reports such as provider peer reviews or performance evaluations that were generated from the patient's medical records.

How to Obtain Copies of Your Riverside Community Hospital Medical Records

You can access your medical records electronically through either Riverside's MyHealthOne portal or by requesting paper copies with an authorization form.

Access through MyHealthOne portal:

1. From the Riverside Community Hospital medical records information page, click on Access Patient Portal.
2. This brings you to the MyHealthOne page. If you already have an account, click “Log in” on the top of the page and follow the directions to request access to your records.
3. To sign up for an account, click on Create an account to sign up for access.
4. You will receive a confirmation code in your email. Enter this where prompted on the website.
5. Your MyHealthOne page will display various choices. Click on View Health Records.
6. You are prompted to connect your medical records to your account. Once that has been completed, you will have access to your records.

Request Paper Copies of Your Medical Records

1. Download the Medical Records Release form from the Riverside Community Hospital medical records website.
2. Complete and sign the authorization form.
3. A copy of a valid photo I.D. such as driver's license, military I.D., or state I.D. must accompany the application.
4. Mail the form in the following ways.

Allow 5-10 days for processing from the date of receipt. However, federal law allows up to 30 days for processing.

How Much Does It Cost to Order Your Medical Records From Riverside Community Hospital?

Unless you are requesting your medical records be transferred by the hospital to other physicians, hospitals, or insurance companies, you will pay a nominal fee when ordering copies.

• Records accessed through the MyHealthOne portal are free of charge.
• While Riverside Community does not publish its rates online, the State of California sets the maximum rates for medical record copies. The current rate is no more than $0.25 per page and $0.50 for microfilm copies. This does not include postage costs if the copies are mailed.

How DoNotPay Can Help You Obtain Your Riverside Community Hospital Medical Records

Rather than going through a tedious account sign-up process with the hospital's portal, DoNotPay can send your health care provider a letter that will get your medical records to you faster. Here's how to get started:

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.

DoNotPay can help you with medical records requests from many other health systems, including Kaiser Permanente, Mercy, Baptist, and Cleveland Clinic.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

In addition to helping you obtain copies of your medical records, DoNotPay also has solutions including the following:

• Obtaining a birth certificate
• Find unclaimed money
• How to request sick leave
• Getting help with bills
• Cancel any service or subscription

These are just a few of the many ways DoNotPay cuts through bureaucratic red tape. With hundreds of thousands of cases solved, DoNotPay is a valuable resource for everyone to save time and money.