Right to Review Health Information

You have the right to look at and get a copy of your medical record and other health information, such as your medical bills. In most cases, you can get your records within 30 days of your request, unless there is a special situation. You also have the right to ask us to send your health information to someone else, such as a family member or another doctor. You can ask us to give you your record in the form that works best for you. For example, you may want a paper copy of your record, a copy on a CD, or you may ask that we email a copy to you. We want to help you understand your right to look and get a copy of your medical information, as well as what to expect from Atrium Health.

What to Expect:

• If you want a copy of your medical record or you want us to send it to someone else, we will ask you to complete a short form for our records. This form tells us what parts of the record you would like us to copy, or who and where you would like us to send a copy.

• If you want to see your record in person, you will need to make an appointment at the Atrium Health facility or practice where you were seen. Atrium Health has an Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
  • Someone from the facility or practice will show you the parts of your medical record you are interested in seeing.
  • If you want to ask questions about what is written in your record, please schedule the appointment with your healthcare provider or other licensed healthcare professional.
• Most of the time, you will get a copy of your medical record within a few days of your request, but HIPAA allows us up to 30 days to provide it to you.
  • If we are not able to send you a copy within 30 days, we will send you a letter telling you the reasons for the delay and when you can expect to get the copy.
  • We will try to get your records to you quickly, but please note that we are allowed to take an additional 30 days if we need to do so.
• We will try to give you the copy of your medical record in the form that you requested, if we are able to make the copy in that manner. For example, you may want your record in paper, on a compact disc (CD) or USB drive, or you may want us to send your record by e-mail. If we are unable to give you the copy in the manner you requested, we will give it to you on paper or other agreeable form.
  • If you ask us to e-mail a copy of your medical record or bill to you, we will send it in an encrypted email to protect your privacy. If you ask us to send it to you without encryption, please note that there are risks in doing so. You can learn more about these risks by reading our email guidelines.