How far back do medical records go?
Asked by: Dr. Camren Zulauf | Last update: August 21, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (36 votes)
How far back can I get my medical records?
How long are medical records kept? The answer varies depending on the state. In California, the retention period can be anywhere from two to ten years, depending on the type of procedure or healthcare provider. However, an insurance claim medical report should only look as far back as the injury in question.
Do hospitals destroy medical records after 10 years?
What Happens to Medical Records and PHI After 10 years? Federal law allows medical providers to destroy medical records after six years but some states require a longer retention period. If the medical records pertain to a child, you may be required to retain them for more than 10 years.
Are medical records ever deleted?
In general, electronic medical records (EMRs) are never deleted because storing them is practical, safe, and affordable. Paper records may be destroyed by burning, shredding, pulping, or pulverizing.
What medical records are kept indefinitely?
immunization records, which should be kept indefinitely; records of significant health events or conditions and interventions that could be expected to have a bearing on the patient's future health care needs, such as records of chemotherapy.
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Why are medical records kept for 7 years?
Federal law mandates that a provider keep and retain each record for a minimum of seven years from the date of last service to the patient. For Medicare Advantage patients, it goes up to ten years.
Can doctors throw away medical records?
California. Hospitals in California must keep adult patient records for seven years after the last discharge date. Healthcare employees must keep the records of minors at least seven years after the most recent discharge date or one year after the patient turns 18 (whichever is longer).
Can doctors see your prescription history?
Most times yes. There are instances where a patient's medical records may not be accessible without an additional signed consent from the patient. Again though, yes, clinicians can see what has been prescribed for patients.
Can you ask a doctor to delete medical records?
Request to erase medical records
Separately, patients may submit requests to their doctor for their medical records, or a part of their records, to be erased or deleted.
How do you purge medical records?
Utilize a method of destruction that will completely destroy all records and copies of records selected for discarding. Different media require different methods of destruction: shred, burn, or pulverize paper records; recycle or shred microfilm or microfiche; purge and destroy computerized records.
Can I sue my doctor for not releasing my medical records?
If you believe that your doctor or other health care provider violated your health information privacy right by not giving you access to your medical record, you may file a HIPAA Privacy Rule Complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights.
What happens with old medical records?
Healthcare providers must retain medical records by law, but they don't have to keep them forever. Before requesting old medical records, call the healthcare facility to find out about their medical record retention policy. Some healthcare providers keep or archive old medical records.
Can you look yourself up on a medical record?
With limited exceptions, the HIPAA Privacy Rule (the Privacy Rule) provides individuals with a legal, enforceable right to see and receive copies upon request of the information in their medical and other health records maintained by their health care providers and health plans.
Can a doctor refuse to be recorded?
According to an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), it is legal to record conversations with your physician, even secretly. The exceptions are in California and Florida, where all parties must be aware if a conversation is being recorded.
Can doctors see your medical history?
Doctors may have access to your medical records if you provide consent or if your records are transferred from a previous healthcare provider. Otherwise, they may not have immediate access to your complete medical history.
How can I get medical records from 30 years ago?
How you make your request will depend on your provider's processes. You may be able to request your record through your provider's patient portal. You may have to fill out a form — called a health or medical record release form, or request for access—send an email, or mail or fax a letter to your provider.
Can you hide your prescription history?
A lot of hospitals and doctor's offices remove your name from your prescription history before sharing it with marketing or drug companies. If you don't want this to happen, ask your doctor to opt-out of having your information used this way. And remember to keep your pill bottles and receipts private.
Can my doctor see if I went to another doctor?
Your healthcare providers have a right to see and share your records with anyone to whom you have given permission. For example, if your primary care doctor refers you to a specialist, you might be asked to sign a form that says they can share your records with that specialist.
How long are medical records kept?
How long must medical records be retained under California law? In short, medical records must be retained at a minimum for seven (7) years in compliance with state law. However, the many medical associations recommend that records should be retained for ten (10) years.
How to get rid of old medical records?
- Hard copy paper and microfilm: Destroy paper using cross cut shredders which produce particles that are 1 mm × 5 mm (0.04 in. ...
- Mobile devices generally: Manually delete all information, and then perform a full manufacturer's reset to reset the mobile device to factory state.
Can your medical records be used against you?
In most states, an attorney can subpoena medical records. However, in some states medical records obtained by an attorney via a deposition subpoena can only be used during the discovery process and are not admissible as evidence in court (also see the next FAQ).
How far back does prescription history go?
Prescriptions are viewable for 18 months from the last fill date. These records must be kept up to 18 months so that we have a history and medical record of your prescriptions. After 18 months from the last fill date, the prescription will be transferred to microfilm and deleted from your viewable prescription history.
Can you get a diagnosis taken off your medical record?
If you think the information in your medical or billing record is incorrect, you can request a change, or amendment, to your record. The health care provider or health plan must respond to your request. If it created the information, it must amend inaccurate or incomplete information.