Medical Records 101: Responding to Requests for Patient Information

Learn how to navigate federal laws governing access of patients to their health information and educate yourself on new patient access initiatives.

In the U.S., patients have always had the right to access copies of their medical records from physicians, hospitals and health plans covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) - but for years this right was poorly understood by patients and entities covered by the law. But federal incentives for the purchase of electronic medical records have laid the groundwork for more seamless sharing of data with patients, and additional federal law - the Information Blocking Rules - established additional penalties for some entities that place obstacles in the path of sharing data with patients. On top of that, national health information networks previously only available for sharing of records among medical providers are opening additional pathways to patient access. Learn from the former policy and enforcement lead at the HHS Office for Civil Rights on how to navigate federal laws governing access of patients to their health information and educate yourself on new patient access initiatives that could become more widespread in the coming year.

Faculty

Deven McGraw

Ciitizen Health