Updated December2021 by Bradley J. Muldrow (CAMFT Staff Attorney). Must be retained in the medical facility for 75 years after the last instance of care. Regarding deceased patient records, 42 CFR 2.15 (b) (2) is similar to HIPAA. 42 Code of Federal Regulations 485.721 (d), Clinics/Rehabilitation Agencies/Public Health - Outpatient Physical Therapy. There is no general law requiring a physician to maintain medical Health & Safety Code 123115(b)(1)-(4). prescribed, including dosage, and any sensitivities or allergies to medications practice. Health Information of Deceased Individuals | HHS.gov Retain a patients health care service record for a minimum of seven (7) years from the date therapy terminates; Retain a minor patients health care service record for a minimum of seven (7) years from the date the minor patient reaches eighteen (18) years of age; and. Keep reading to learn more about this key component of effective, modern healthcare. However, most states also have their own medical retention laws, which can be more stringent than HIPAA stipulates. Longer if required by a state statute outlined above OR if it is required in an ongoing proceeding/investigation. By recording what occurs during the course of the therapeutic relationship, you capture ones hard fought journey of growth, empowerment, and self-discovery. portions of the record, the physician may include in the summary only that specific What medical records should I keep and for how long? She earned her MFA in poetry and teaches as an adjunct English instructor. medical records, as well as imaging and pathology samples, tissue blocks, and slides, if their office should close. Is it the same for x-rays? In Georgia, doctors have to retain any evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, laboratory report, or biopsy slide in a patient's record for ten years from the date it was created. Health & Safety Code 123110(i)-(j) and CAMFT Code of Ethics 12.7. They may also include test results, medications youve been prescribed and your billing information. payroll and time records are kept longer than 6 months. While the contents of a record may feel sacrosanct to both therapist and patient, the reality is that the record is not untouchable. The Medical Board may take any action against the physician which is appropriate California medical records laws state that a patient's information may not be disclosed without authorization unless it is pursuant to a court order, or for purposes of communicating important medical data to other health care providers, insurers, and other interested parties. not to exceed 25 cents per page or 50 cents per page for records that are copied A patient to the following conditions: The Board's newsletter, Medical Board of California News, is published quarterly in the winter, spring, summer, and fall. her medical records, under specific conditions and/or requirements as shown below. No, just like any other medical records, diagnostic films and tracings belong to Beyond that, California law does not specify the period of time that patient records must be maintained after the patient discontinues treatment.