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
Medical Records in General
You can read general information on your medical record rights under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, 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. Please note that this site does not discuss medical record rights that may be available under your state's laws.
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
You can obtain information about mental health services in Rhode Island from the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals at:
http://204.139.0.230/integrated_mental_health.htm
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/
Rhode Island Medical Record Access Laws
Some health care providers do not have to follow the HIPAA Privacy Rule. These providers must still follow Rhode Island laws that give you the right to see and get a copy of your medical record. You can read the statute that gives you the right to examine and copy your medical record that is held by a medical or osteopathic doctor at http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/Statutes.html Look under Title 5 (Businesses and Professions), Chapter 5-37 (Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline), Section 5-37-22.
The Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline sets many of the detailed rules that physicians must follow when you request your medical record. You can read these rules on the Website of the Rhode Island Office of Secretary of State at
http://www.sec.state.ri.us/rules/
Use the term “medical records” as your search term and choose the “Health Department, Board of Medical Licensure” from the agency pull-down menu.
The Health Department Rules and Regulations for Licensing Hospitals include rules that give you access to your hospital records. You can read these rules on the Website of the Rhode Island Office of Secretary of State at: http://www.sec.state.ri.us/rules/. Use the search term “3493” and choose the “Health Department” from the agency pull-down menu.
