How to Get Copies of Your Medical Records

How to get copies of your medical records. A healthcare provider owes a duty to provide you with your medical
records, and there are clear rules that dictate that they are to provide you with your medical records in a timely
fasion and for a reasonable cost. Under Missouri Revised Statute
§191.227, it’s the law. While obtaining your own medical records can be easily done, sometimes getting the
medical records of a loved one or a family member can be harder. But guess what, under Missouri law you can still
obtain those records.

Read on to see how you can obtain your medical records, how you can obtain your family’s medical records, and how you
can request the medical records of either a deceased loved one or a deceased family member. If you have any
questions about medical records or personal injury claims, or if the facility you’re trying to get the medical
records from won’t cooperate, call Burger Law. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Louis can help. Call us
today at or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
We serve the injured throughout Missouri and Illinois.

Whenever you go to the doctor, are injured and go to a specialist or for any reason you ever see a health
professional, chances are that you also have medical records that you can request. But how do you go about getting
those records? Do you have to pay for them? What if the hospital or health professional gives push back or says no?
What are the proper steps to get your health records?

Step 1 — Request your Medical Records from your Health Provider. You’ll need to fill out any HIPPA
forms that they require to release the information. Make sure to request everything in writing. Also, you may be
required to pay a reasonable fee for the copies.
Step 2 — If they refuse to provide medical records to you, you can, under Missouri and Illinois law
sue the organization to get those medical records.
Step 3 — What if its for a loved one? As the next of kin, or the personal representative of the
estate, you are still entitled to those records. Be insistent about getting all of the medical records, not just
the bills, but also any health files or reports, tests, etc.
Step 4 — What if the medical records you are trying to recover pertain someone that is deceased?
These cases can be more difficult. Burger Law recently had to sue a health provider to get the records.
Remember, you have to be insistent about getting the records, and stress how you have a legal right to those
records. In order to get medical records for a deceased loved one, you need to:
- Determine your eligibility through state law
- Gather documentation and proof of your relationship
- Locate the medical provider and submit a formal request
- Seek legal counsel if the medical provider gives you problems

It’s important to remember that hospital and health providers owe you a duty towards your medical records. You have a
right to those records and access to those records. Now, they can request that you pay for the copies of the
records, but it has to be a reasonable cost. They can’t charge you whatever they want to keep you from getting the
records. Missouri and Illinois Laws both protect your rights and access to the records.

Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer in St. Louis Today | Burger Law

People who have potential personal injury claims often don’t take them on because they believe that they either can’t
afford a lawyer, or they can’t afford the court costs or fees that can from a legal battle. With our Personal Injury Law Firm in St. Louis, you’ll never pay anything until we win your
personal injury claim. We fight hard for the rights and recoveries of our clients, and we never settle for anything
less than the full recovery that they are owed. If your family needs a dedicated and aggressive personal injury
lawyer to fight for your rights, we can help you. Call our team at or contact us online.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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