Talking to a parent's doctor: what HIPAA allows
Can I get a copy of my parent's medical records?
Your parent can, and so can their personal representative. HHS says only the person or their personal representative has the right to access the records.
HHS says: “The Privacy Rule gives you, with few exceptions, the right to inspect, review, and receive a copy of your medical records and billing records,” and “Only you or your personal representative has the right to access your records.”
So your parent can ask for their own records, and so can their personal representative (does a health care power of attorney count?).
What it can cost
- “A provider cannot deny you a copy of your records because you have not paid for the services you have received.”
- “However, a provider may charge for the reasonable costs for copying and mailing the records. The provider cannot charge you a fee for searching for or retrieving your records.”
More questions caregivers ask
- Does a health care power of attorney let me see my parent's records?
- What if something in my parent's medical record is wrong?
- Do I need to be on my parent's HIPAA form?
- All the questions
From Centis, a free care notebook you talk to. This is general information from HHS’s own pages, not legal advice; state law can make a difference.
Further reading
- Your Medical Records (opens in a new tab), from the US Department of Health and Human Services
- Personal Representatives (opens in a new tab), from the US Department of Health and Human Services