This guide only discusses how to get and amend your medical records from health care providers who have to follow the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The guide mentions some related topics without discussing them in detail. Here are some resources where you can find information about these related topics.
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Records
Records related to alcohol and drug treatment may be subject to other privacy rules. You can get more information about these records at:
http://hipaa.samhsa.gov/Part2ComparisonCleared.htm
District of Columbia Medical Record Access Laws
Some health care providers do not have to follow the HIPAA Privacy Rule. These providers must still follow District of Columbia laws that give you the right to see and get a copy of your medical record. The District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, Title 17, Section 4612, gives patients access rights to their health records held by doctors. You can read a copy of this regulation at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library.
Medical Records in General
You can read general information on your medical record rights, the flow of medical information, and how to create a personal medical record at http://www.myphr.com/
a Website operated by the American Health Information Management Association, an association of professionals who manage medical records and information.
Medical Terms
You can find out the meaning of many medical terms and medical shorthand from the Medical Library Association’s Website at:
http://www.mlanet.org/resources/consumr_index.html
Your library might also have books or brochures that explain medical terms.
Mental Health Treatment Records
You can read the statute that gives you the right to access your mental health records on the Website of the Council of the District of Columbia at:
http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/
Look under DC Code; Division 1—Government of DC; Title 7—Human Health and Safety; Subtitle C—Mental Health; Section 12—Mental Health Information.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule treats most mental health treatment records like other medical records. However, psychotherapy notes (as defined by the HIPAA Privacy Rule) are treated differently. You can read about how these notes are treated in the Summary of the Privacy Rule written by the Office for Civil Rights, HHS at:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
