This guide only discusses how to get and amend (correct) 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 places 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

Illinois Medical Record Access Laws

Some health care providers do not have to follow the HIPAA Privacy Rule. These providers must still follow Illinois laws that give you the right to see and get a copy of your medical record. You can read the state statutes that address how to get your medical records on the Web site of the Illinois General Assembly at http://www.ilga.gov/ . Look under "Illinois Compiled Statutes," Chapter 735, Code of Civil Procedure, Article VIII, Part 20, Sections 8-2001 through 8-2003.

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 get information about your rights in your mental health records under Illinois law from Illinois Legal Aid Online at http://www.illinoislegalaid.org/. Information on access to mental health records is countained in the document titled "Rights to Confidentiality for People with Mental and Developmental Disabilities" which can be found using the search term "mental health record."