However, patients have a property right in a full, complete, and legible copy of their medical records.
Physicians can legally and ethically charge a patient to cover the costs of copying records.
If your physician is member of a group practice and leaves that practice, the medical records remain the property of the group practice. A copy of the patient's medical record may be requested but be advised that there may be a charge. Physicians cannot withhold records until an outstanding bill is paid. In other words, if there are items in records which if revealed to the patient would be detrimental to the patient, they may be withheld. There is no state statute which dictates how long medical records should be kept.