Requesting Medical Records

• 1). Use a word processor on your computer or hand write a letter and put the date of the letter at the top. Typically, it is a good idea to have the date be the same as when it is notarized.
  
  
• 2). Write the name of the person whose medical records you are legally entitled to request (yourself, minor child or the person whose medical power of attorney you have).
  
  
• 3). Specify exactly which medical records you are requesting, such as lab results of a certain test, office notes of all of your records . Remember, you will have to do a separate letter for each establishment (doctor's office, lab, hospital, etc.) you are asking for records from.
  
  

Create Consent Form

• 1). Open another document and type out a short letter for the Department of Health and Human Services or go to their website listed in the resources section and print out a medical records release authorization form.
  
  
• 2). Type patient's name (yours or the name of the person whose medical power of attorney you have).
  
  
• 3). Identify the documents you want, and state that you give the HHS permission to release these documents for said person.
  
  
• 4). Take both letters as well as your medical power of attorney (if you have one) to a notary public and sign the request letter and consent form in his or her presence.
  
  
• 5). Make a copy of the power of attorney as well as your driver's license. Mail to each establishment that has medical records that you want.
  
  
• 6). It is not necessary to mail the authorization form to HHS, the office which receives your request will file it when processing the request.