Your medical records can help you understand your care, prepare for appointments, change doctors, or get a second opinion. Records may include office notes, test results, imaging reports, medication lists, procedure notes, hospital summaries, and billing records.
Why you might need your records
- You are seeing a new doctor.
- You want a second opinion.
- You are managing a chronic condition.
- You are preparing for surgery.
- You want to understand a diagnosis.
- You are helping a family member manage care.
- You found an error and want to ask about correcting it.
Start with the patient portal
Many providers offer records through an online patient portal. You may be able to download visit summaries, lab results, imaging reports, medication lists, immunization records, and after-visit instructions.
What to request
Be specific. Instead of asking for everything, you may want to request records related to a particular condition, date range, procedure, or provider.
- Office notes from a date range
- Lab results from the past year
- MRI report and images
- Surgical report and pathology report
- Hospital discharge summary
- Medication list and allergy list
For imaging, ask whether you need the written report, the actual images, or both.
How to make the request
- Do you have a records request form?
- Can I submit the request online?
- Can records be sent electronically?
- Is there a fee?
- How long will it take?
- Can records be sent directly to another provider?
Check for accuracy
When you receive records, review your name, date of birth, medication list, allergies, diagnoses, surgical history, major test results, and family history if included.
Organize your records
A simple digital folder system can work well: Primary Care, Cardiology, Imaging, Labs, Procedures, Hospital Records, and Insurance and Billing.
Bring the right records to appointments
For a second opinion or specialist visit, ask the new office what they need. Some offices need records before the visit so the doctor has time to review them.
Your medical records are a useful tool for understanding your care and helping providers see the full picture.