Everything About Accessing Your St. Thomas West Medical Records

When trying to get your medical records or have them sent to a different medical provider, you want them sent quickly and correctly. That isn't always the norm with medical records. The medical records release form might be filled out incorrectly, or the request may get lost and abandoned. It could leave you waiting patiently for the records to arrive while they aren't even being compiled. If you need your St. Thomas West medical records, you should invest in the help of DoNotPay.

DoNotPay is an AI-powered people helper, and it can help you get your medical records quickly without the hassle of mistakes that bog down the process.

It will take care of requesting medical records for you. You can sit back and relax, as your medical records will get to the right place.

HIPAA and Your Right to Access Health Information

The confusion around the medical records request process has been created largely by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This act was created in 1996 and stipulated how medical records should be released and under what circumstances. Before the protection afforded by HIPAA, a person may not seek help for a condition that was stigmatized, such as drug abuse or mental health, out of fear that it could be discovered by employers or people in the community. Now, people can access health care without worrying about social consequences. Additionally, they have a right to their medical records.

HIPAA is officially part of the 45th Code of Federal Regulations (45 CFR § 164.524). In this mandate, the government limits access to records and instructs health care facilities about the release of Protected Health Information (PHI).

No longer do people have to fear the distribution of their St. Thomas West medical records. Their medical privacy falsely protected.

How to Get (Electronic) Copies of Your St. Thomas West Medical Records

St. Thomas West is part of the Ascension healthcare system. It is because of this that you must access the Ascension website to obtain medical record requests. For St. Thomas West patients, the directions are as follows:

1. Download and complete the medical records authorization. It is available online in English or Spanish.
2. Return the form via mail to Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, 2000 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37236.
3. If you prefer, email the form.
4. You can also fax the form to 615.284.4582.

Typically, the form you must fill out includes pertinent information such as:

• Your name
• Social security number
• Medical or member number
• Date of birth
• Which records requested
• Signature
• Preferred delivery method

You may partially view your medical records online through the patient portal. It typically provides limited access to information. You won't get the entire medical record like you would with an official medical records request.

Why Might You Need Copies of Your Medical Records?

You may only need to review basic information about your medical records online, and for this, the patient portal is excellent. It will give you some test results, dates of service, and a review of the provider's plan or instructions. Formal and complete records are usually requested for specific purposes that may include:

• Need for a complete personal health record at home
• The desire to share health history with relatives to disclose hereditary risks
• Use as evidence in a action
• To get a second opinion or continue care at another facility
• Employment screening
• Life insurance application

Some of these reasons are very time-sensitive, which is why requesting your medical records properly is important.

How Much Does It Cost to Obtain Medical Records From St. Thomas West?

Neither St. Thomas West nor Ascension lists the costs of obtaining medical records from their facilities, but they acknowledge that there is a cost. This cost may be elevated if some additional radiographic images or films must be copied.

Charging patients for copies of their medical records is allowed by law.

What Types of Medical Records Are Restricted From Being Released?

Part of the reason there are laws regarding PHI and health privacy is that there can be societal stigmatization caused by certain medical conditions or lifestyles. Without HIPAA, some people may not seek care, and others could suffer severe social or occupational consequences. That is why, even with authorization, a person need not disclose certain parts of their record, such as those for drug or alcohol treatment.

Health care facilities are not required to deliver your entire record, and they can remove psychotherapy notes along with records compiled for use in a court case or administrative action.

Request Medical Records With the Help of DoNotPay

DoNotPay has seen these requests before and knows how to write your health care provider a simple, clear, and effective letter that will get your legally-guaranteed health records for you in no time.

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.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

Aside from St. Thomas West medical records, we can also assist you with the following inquiries:

Once you see how easy it is to get St. Thomas West medical records with the help of DoNotPay, you'll want to get help for more items on your to-do list. It may include help with the following:

• Paying bills
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There isn't much that DoNotPay cannot help you with, so sign up today!