DoNotPay Makes It Easy to Get Copies of Your Sparrow Health Medical Records

W. Sparrow Hospital and Sparrow Health in Lansing are well-known around Michigan and neighboring states. The hospital has the only Level I Trauma Center and is the only Children's Miracle Network Hospital in the area. It is ranked #1 for its Trauma Center, has been named a Cardiac Center of Excellence, and is Michigan's first certified Comprehensive Stroke Center.

The hospital has received a lot of accolades and while you may have experienced excellent care there, obtaining copies of your medical records can be complicated and, well, a hassle. DoNotPay can help you get your Sparrow Hospital medical records, easily and fast.

Your Health Information, Your Rights

In 1996, the federal government enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This act protects your rights and privacy, by limiting your medical information access without your prior approval and knowledge, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It also allows you access to your own medical records no matter where you live in the U.S.

Are There Any Regulations as to How Long Medical Records Must Be Kept?

In Michigan, medical records must be kept for at least seven years and in some situations longer. Most experts recommend the retention of medical records for eight years or longer.

In addition, there is a limit to the cost for medical record copies under the Michigan Medical Record Access Act. The initial request fee can cost no more than $25.64 with an additional $1.28 per page for the first 20 pages, $0.64 per page for pages 21-50, and $0.26 per page for pages 51+.

Reasons You May Need or Want Copies of Your Sparrow Hospital Medical Records

People have a variety of reasons as to why they need copies of their Sparrow Hospital Medical records, such as:

1. You have relocated and need copies for your new physician
2. You are applying for disability
3. You are looking for new health insurance coverage
4. You are filing an insurance claim
5. You need copies for a personal injury lawsuit

Whatever the reason, even if it is just a case that you want to keep a copy for your own records, you can request copies of your medical records.

Requesting Copies of Your Medical Records by Yourself

To request your medical records from Sparrow Health, you must fill out a copy of the release form, Individual Request for Access to Protected Health Information. You can get a copy of the form on the Health Center's website then submit your request including the completed form in person or by mail, as your original signature is required.

Below are contact details for Sparrow Hospital:

Sparrow Health does not share a way to request to electronically receive copies of your medical records.

Getting Your Medical Records by Mail

To send a copy of your records to you, you may be charged for the copies and postage.

You Can Pick Up Your Medical Records

The copies can be picked up in person by you, or another individual with an addendum letter authorizing that individual to pick up your records. The date they are to be picked up should be included, and the letter must be an original, signed by you. Be sure to check the copies are ready before going or asking someone to pick them up.

Sending Medical Records to Another Healthcare Facility

Having the copies sent directly to another healthcare facility or physician, is provided without cost. For that service, you must fill out the Authorization for Disclosure of Protected Health Information form. In the case of an emergency, records can be sent to another hospital without prior authorization.

If the process seems a little tricky and time-consuming for you, there’s always DoNotPay to the rescue. In special circumstances, such as the patient being already deceased or the representative not indicated in the existing authorization, DoNotPay ensures the process goes smoothly for you.

Why Not Ask DoNotPay to Get Your Medical Record Copies for You?

Getting copies of your medical records from Sparrow Health or anywhere can be confusing as they have a pretty vague process and no dedicated customer support for the said service. Why not ask DoNotPay to do it for you?

The DoNotPay app will make sure to dot all your "I's" and cross all of your "T's." There are just three easy steps that you need to follow:

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.

That's it! DoNotPay will file your request and alert you when your medical records are ready.

DoNotPay Provides Service Everywhere in the U.S.

Whether you need help getting your medical records from Sparrow Health or anywhere else in the country, DoNotPay can handle the task. It can get copies of your medical records from:

• The Cleveland Clinic
• Mercy Hospital
• Baptist Medical Center
• Kaiser Permanente

Wherever you have had medical treatment, DoNotPay can request your records.

There Is Much More DoNotPay Will Help You With

When you sign up with DoNotPay, you are hiring a secretary, a team, and a research team all at once. It goes way beyond requesting your medical records. Some other monumental tasks DoNotPay makes simple include:

• Getting a copy of your, or your child's birth certificate
• Creating an advanced health care directive
• Requesting sick leave from work
• Getting help organizing and paying your bills

There is no doubt that DoNotPay can make your life a lot easier. Go ahead and ask DoNotPay to help you get copies of your medical records. See how quickly and efficiently it works and you’ll be surprised at the more tasks for you.