Primary Benefit/Goal: The more engaged a patient is with their healthcare information, such as being able to see their information in writing, the more engaged they are with their care. This leads to higher quality outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.

Guaranteed Access: Patients are guaranteed access to everything in their health records, with few exceptions such as psychotherapy notes, regardless of their billing status or money owed. Information must be provided even if the patient may not understand it and even if a negative reaction is expected from the patient except in circumstances where the information is believed to trigger an extreme response such as self harm or suicide. 

Requests: Patients may request their information at any time. Providers must verify identity of the requester, that the requester is authorized, and must not make the process unreasonably delay or be a barrier to the access of this information.  Providers must provide information in any format requested by the patient if readily producible, including electronically if the information is in a digital format. Unsecured email is OK if patient requests it, though providers should politely remind the patient this transmission method is not secure, then proceed with the request without trying to convince the patient to use a different method. 

Fees are limited: Must be reasonable and cost based; only for labor involved for copying or creating a summary or explanation, cost of supplies, and postage.  No fees are allowed for search and retrieval. Patients must be notified in advance of any fees and providers are encouraged to provide free copies.

Documentation: All requests should be documented and dated in a central location. 

Third Party: The patient has the right to request delivery to a third party but the request must be written and signed by the requester. Electronic or virtual written and signed requests are allowed.  

Duplicate or Repeat Requests: Should be fulfilled. 

Deadline: Information should be provided as quickly as possible but no later than 30 days from the date of request.