Updated October 2026
Asking for your own medical records is your right in the United States. Here is how to do it in a few plain steps.
Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, you have a right to see and get a copy of your medical and billing records from most doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and health plans. There are a few exceptions, such as psychotherapy notes. A provider cannot refuse your records because you owe a bill.
Write down each doctor, hospital, lab, pharmacy and insurer you have used. Records are kept by each one separately, which is why they are rarely in one place.
Many offices have a records request form, and many hospitals have an online patient portal where you can download records yourself. If there is no form, write a short letter or message saying who you are, which records you want (for example, all records or a date range) and how you want them (electronic file or paper).
A provider has 30 calendar days to respond. It can take one extra 30 days if it tells you in writing why and gives a date within the first 30 days.
A provider may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing. It may not charge you for searching for or retrieving your records.
When the files arrive, save them together. OneMedRecord reads your papers and builds one personal health record you own.
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Sources: HHS: Medical Records, HHS: Timeliness, HHS: Sending records to a third party, HealthIT.gov.