By law, you or your legal representative generally have the right to view and/or get copies of your personal health information from health care providers who treat you and bill Medicare for your care. You also generally have a right to get this information from health plans that pay for your care, including Medicare.
These types of personal health information include:
- Claims and billing records
- Information related to your enrollment in health plans, including Medicare
- Medical and case management records
- Other records that doctors or health plans use to make decisions about you
Generally, you can get your information on paper or electronically. If your providers or plans store your information electronically, they generally must give you electronic copies, if you ask for them. You have the right to get your information in a timely manner, but it may take up to 30 days to get a response. If your information is electronic, you also may request to have it sent to a third party of your choosing. A third party may be a:
- Health care provider who treats you
- Family member
- Researcher
You may have to fill out a form to request copies of your information and pay a fee. This fee typically can’t be more than the total cost of:
- Labor for copying the information requested
- Supplies for creating the copy
- Postage (if you ask your health care provider to mail you a copy)
In most cases, you won’t be charged for viewing, searching, downloading, or sending your information through an electronic portal.
Learn more about your right to access your personal health information.