ByHow to Get Medical Records From Walgreens
It is important to have copies of your medical records. They provide vital information for future healthcare providers, and can be used to prove things like vaccination status. But getting medical records isn't always easy.
Hospitals and pharmacies have complicated medical records departments and may be bound by a number of laws when it comes to sharing medical information of any kind. With more healthcare occurring in pharmacies like , getting medical records from pharmacies is more important than ever. Getting Walgreens medical records means jumping through a lot of bureaucratic and hoops. Luckily, DoNotPay is here to help.
Are You Entitled to Your Walgreens Medical Records?
No matter where you get your healthcare, your medical records are yours. That includes . Thanks to HIPAA, or the Healthcare Information Portability and Accountability Act, consumers have a right to their medical information.
HIPAA was passed in 1996. One of its original purposes was for consumers to be able to access their own health records. There are two main exceptions to HIPAA when it comes to medical records:
- Psychotherapy notes are not covered. You can request them from your provider, but the provider has no obligation to give them to you.
- Information collected for a lawsuit.
Almost everything that happens to a patient during a healthcare encounter should be considered part of the records. HIPAA does specify a few types of interactions that are not considered part of the medical record. Interactions that are not specific to patient care, like reviews conducted for provider evaluation, are not part of the medical record. Since HIPAA doesn't consider these things part of the medical record, HIPAA doesn't require them to be provided upon request.
HIPAA likely covers almost everything in your Walgreens medical record. That means Walgreens is required to provide medical records to those who request it. But just because HIPAA requires healthcare providers to allow access to personal health information, doesn't mean it is easy. Different healthcare providers require requests to come through different methods. Some providers even require a nominal fee for providing medical records.
What Can Walgreens Medical Records Be Used For?
Medical records are important documents that may be used for many purposes, including:
- Updating new doctors with pertinent health information
- Understanding your own health status
- Proving vaccination status to employers
- Sharing with family so that they can help with your care
Some healthcare providers make accessing your medical records easy. According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, modern medical records may even be stored on apps. That makes accessing information easier, but getting online can still be difficult.
Healthcare providers, like Walgreens, will want to check your identity. They may make getting your medical record difficult, but with good reason. Healthcare providers want to make sure medical records don't fall into the wrong hands. Because medical information is sensitive and private, it is carefully guarded by providers.
Requesting Walgreens Medical Records on Your Own
It is possible to access your Walgreens medical record on your own. Even though Walgreens is a large company with a huge electronic presence, they require medical records requests to go through snail mail. This is likely to comply with regulations.
- You need to complete a medical records release form. You will indicate your personal information, what kinds of records you need, and why you require them.
- Be as specific as possible about the information that you'd like released (e.g. specific dates of service, specific treatment, immunization records, etc.)
- Include the completed address of where you would like your records sent.
- Send it by mail or fax along with a copy of a valid photo ID.
| Authorization Form | Release of Information Form |
| Mailing address | Take Care Health Services
Attn: PSC – ROI Department
P.O. Box 691569, Orlando FL 32819 |
| Fax | 888-297-8357 |
| Phone number | 800-925-4733 |
| HealthCare Clinic Hotline | 800-WALGREENS (800-925-4733) |
You can learn about frequently asked questions from the Walgreens' Health Records page.
Requesting Medical Records With DoNotPay
To request medical records from Walgreens, you'll need access to a printer, stamp, and snail-mail. You will need to make sure you have all the right information. One small mistake can cause your request to be rejected.
Requesting medical records from Walgreens doesn't have to be difficult. DoNotPay is here to help. You can accomplish a request in three simple steps:
- Choose the Medical Records function on the DoNotPay website.
- Next, input the name of the hospital, which is Elliot Hospital, from where you would like to receive medical records.
- Answer a few identifying questions that tell the portal about your provider and where you would like to have the records sent.
Why You Should Use DoNotPay to Request Medical Records
DoNotPay will make your life easier. Requesting medical records from Walgreens will be fast, easy, and successful. What’s more, DoNotPay works across different health systems and hospitals so you can easily request records from Baptist, Kaiser, Mercy, Cleveland Clinic, and many more.
Getting medical records doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming. Let DoNotPay help you today.