Retaining well-maintained patient records helps medical and dental professionals ensure continuity of care and protect against any future professional liability claims. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting increase in patient telehealth services have highlighted the importance of retaining complete and accurate records.

Malpractice Claim Severity and COVID-19.Patient-Assisted Telehealth Assessments.Communicating with Vaccine-Hesitant Patients.

This information is used by life insurance or disability insurance companies to determine whether or not they will sell you insurance. Prescription databases like IntelliScript (Milliman) and MedPoint (Ingenix) very likely have data-mined records on all the prescription drugs you have bought over the past 5 or more years.The MIB Group may have an individual record on you that is not subject to HIPAA laws. It provides information to life insurance companies to assess a person's eligibility for coverage. Medical Information Bureau (the MIB Group) is a non-profit entity that was founded more than 125 years ago.If you're in a workplace accident, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) might need to review your records. For example, law enforcement and child protective services might be able to see your records if a subpoena is obtained. In addition to medical payment, other agencies may have access to your records as well.

Federal and state governments may have a right to your medical records.

Insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, workers compensation, Social Security disability, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any institutional entity that pays for any portion of your healthcare might need to review your records.

Your healthcare payers have a right to get copies of and use your medical records according to HIPAA laws.

For example, if your primary care doctor refers you to a specialist, you might be asked to sign a form that says they can share your records with that specialist.

Your healthcare providers have a right to see and share your records with anyone that you have given permission.

A loved one or caregiver may have the right to get copies of your medical records if you give them permission to.

You have a legal right to copies of your own medical records.

What is the purposes of medical records