Source: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/rpt/2010-R-0339.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 14:42:16+00:00

Document:
This report identifies and explains state law on patient access to medical records in a question and answer format. Throughout the report, the terms “medical records” and “health records” are used interchangeably reflecting their usage in statute. In some cases, the term “hospital records” is also used. The report covers laws passed through the 2010 legislative session.
Do Patients Have Access to Their Medical Records?
Yes. The law requires a health care provider, except in limited circumstances, to supply a patient, upon request, complete and current information the provider has about the patient's diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The provider must also notify a patient of any test results in his or her possession or requested by the provider for purposes of diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis (CGS § 20-7c(b)).
A patient may obtain copies of his or her medical records by asking the provider in writing. The patient's attorney or authorized representative can also make such a request from a health care provider. Such records include bills, x-rays, copies of lab report results, prescriptions, contact lens specifications under certain conditions, and other technical information used to assess the patient's health condition (CGS § 20-7c(c)).
The provider must supply the health record within 30 days of the request (CGS § 20-7c(c)).
When Can a Provider Withhold This Information?
By law, a provider can withhold medical information from a patient if he or she reasonably determines that the information would be detrimental to the patient's physical or mental health or would likely cause the patient to harm himself or herself or someone else. In such a case, the provider can supply the information to an appropriate third party or another provider who can release it to the patient (CGS § 20-7c(d)).
Is There a Cost to Obtain Medical Records?
A provider can charge up to 65 cents per page, including any research fees, handling fees or related costs, and the cost of first class postage, if applicable, to furnish the patient's health record. Also, the provider can charge a patient the amount necessary to cover the costs of materials for providing a copy of an x-ray (CGS § 20-7c(c)).
A provider cannot charge for supplying a health record if the person documents that it is necessary to support a Social Security claim or appeal (CGS § 20-7c(c)).
A provider cannot refuse to return to a patient original or copied medical records that the patient has brought to the provider from another provider. When returning these records, the provider may keep copies for the patient's file as long as the provider does not charge the patient for the cost of copying the records (CGS § 20-7c(c), as amended by PA 10-117).
Can Medical Laboratory Test Results be Reported Directly to a Patient?
State law does not allow the direct reporting to patients of laboratory test results. But they may be reported to patients upon the written request of the provider who ordered the testing. Generally, this prohibition is designed to protect the patient by insuring that proper explanation and interpretation of laboratory findings are given, and possible harmful misinterpretations avoided (State Agency Regs. § 19a-36-D32).
Does the law on Patient Access Apply to Psychiatric or Psychological Conditions?
The law specifically says that its provisions for patients' access to their records (cited above, CGS § 20-7c(a)-(d)) do not apply to “any information relative to any psychiatric or psychological problems or conditions” (CGS § 20-7c(e)).
Which Providers are Covered by the above-Stated Provisions?
The law applies to people licensed or certified to furnish the following health care services: medicine and surgery, chiropractic, naturopathy, podiatry, athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, substance abuse counseling, radiography, midwifery, nursing, dentistry, dental hygiene, optometry, optics, respiratory care, perfusion, pharmacy, psychology, marital and family therapy, clinical social work, professional counseling, veterinary medicine, massage therapy, electrology, hearing instruments, speech pathology and audiology, and emergency medical services (CGS § 20-7b(b); § 20-7c(a)).
Can a Patient's Medical Records be Released to another Provider?
If the patient asks in writing, a provider must furnish a copy of the patient's health record to another provider. This includes x-rays and copies of lab reports, prescriptions, and other technical information used in assessing the patient's condition. The written request must specify the name of the provider who is to receive the record. The patient is responsible for the reasonable costs of providing the information (CGS § 20-7d).
Can a Person Access His Hospital Records?
Yes. By law, a health care institution (which includes a hospital and other health care facilities, see CGS § 19a-490), must provide a copy of a patient's health record upon the written request of the patient or his or her attorney or authorized representative. The health record includes copies of bills, lab reports, prescriptions, and other technical information used in assessing the patient's condition (CGS § 19a-490b(a)).
The institution must also give the patient or his or her designated provider a reasonable opportunity to examine retained tissue slides and pathology tissue blocks. When the patient or his or her attorney or designated health care provider asks in writing, a health care institution must send the original retained tissue or slide or original retained tissue block directly to the institution, lab, or physician the patient designates (CGS § 19a-490b(a)).
Another statute requires each private or public hospital receiving state aid to allow patients it treats and discharges, or their physician or attorney, to examine their hospital record, at the patient's request. The record includes the history, bedside notes, charts, pictures, and plates kept concerning the treatment. The patient, or his or her physician or attorney must be allowed to make copies of such information (CGS § 4-104).
Can the Health Care Institution Charge for These Records?
An institution can charge up to 65 cents per page, including any research, clerical, and handling fees or related costs, and first class postage, if applicable. The institution can also charge the amount necessary to cover the costs of materials for providing a copy of an x-ray or for furnishing an original retained slide, an original tissue block, or a new section cut from a retained pathology tissue block (CGS § 19a-490b(a)).
The institution cannot charge if the health record is necessary for a documented Social Security claim or appeal. An institution must provide the requested health record within 30 days of the request, unless the patient's request was received less than 30 days from his discharge. In that case, the institution must provide the record when it is completed (CGS § 19a-490b(b)).
An institution cannot deny a records request because of a person's inability to pay the required fees. The person must have an affidavit attesting to his inability to pay (CGS § 19a-490b(d)).
How Long Must a Health Care Provider Keep a Patient's Medical Records?
Generally, a provider must retain a patient's medical records for seven years after the last treatment date, or three years from the patient's death (State Agency Regs. § 19a-14-42).
Pathology slides, EEGs, and ECG tracings must also be retained for seven years, but as subsequent ECGs are taken, previous ones may be discarded if the results are unchanged (State Agency Regs. § 19a-14-42(a)).
Lab reports and PKU reports must be kept for five years and X-ray film for three years (State Agency Regs., § 19a-14-42(b), (c)).
What Happens When a Health Care Provider Dies or Retires?
A provider who terminates a practice (or his or her executor or responsible relative in the case of death) must inform patients by notice published in a local newspaper and a letter sent to each patient seen within the past three years before the date the practice was discontinued. The patients' medical records must be kept for 60 days after the notice (State Agency Regs. § 19a-14-44).
A provider who purchases or otherwise assumes a retiring or deceased provider's practice cannot refuse to return original or copied medical records to a patient who decides not to continue receiving care from that practice. The successor provider is prohibited from charging the patient for the cost of copying the records of the retired or deceased provider (CGS § 20-7c(c), as amended by PA 10-117).
What Happens When a Provider Abandons His or Her Practice?
If a provider abandons his or her practice, the Department of Public health (DPH) commissioner may appoint a licensed health care provider to keep the abandoned provider's records and disburse them to patients upon their request (CGS § 20-7c(f); PA 10-117).
What if a Patient Changes Providers?
If a Patient Changes Providers and Asks the Former Provider to Transfer the Records to the New Primary Care Provider, the First Provider Need No Longer Retain the Records (State Agency Regs. § 19a-14-43).
How Long Must a Hospital Retain a Patient's Records?
Medical records must be filed in an accessible manner in the hospital and kept a minimum of 10 years after the patient's discharge. Original records can be destroyed sooner if they are preserved by a process consistent with current hospital industry standards (State Agency Regs. § 19-13-D3(d)(6)).
A chronic and convalescent nursing home or a rest home with nursing supervision must preserve all medical records, regardless of whether they are in printed or electronic format, for at least seven years after the patient's (1) death at the facility or (2) discharge from the facility. Facilities may maintain all or part of these records electronically in a format that complies with accepted professional standards (PA 10-117).
What Happens to the Records if a Health Care Institution Closes?
When a health care institution that ceases operations gives up its license to DPH, it must provide the department with a certified document specifying where its patient health records will be stored and the procedure for patients, former patients or their authorized representatives to access the records. This certified document must also include provisions (1) concerning storage if the storage location closes or changes ownership and (2) granting DPH authority to enforce the certified document's provisions if the storage location closes or changes ownership. The law imposes a civil penalty of up to $100 for each day the institution fails to comply with the terms of the certified document (CGS § 19a-490b(e), as amended by PA 10-117).
Must Health Care Providers and Institutions Keep Medical Records in an Electronic Format?
The law allows licensed health care institutions to create, maintain or use medical records or medical record systems in electronic format, paper, or both if the system can store medical records and patient health care information in a reproducible and secure manner (CGS § 19a-25c).
State law also allows health care providers with prescriptive authority to use electronic prescribing systems (CGS § 19a-25b).

References: § 20
 § 20
 § 20
 § 20
 § 20
 § 20
 § 20
 § 19
 § 20
 § 20
 § 20
 § 20
 § 20
 § 19
 § 19
 § 19
 § 4
 § 19
 § 19
 § 19
 § 19
 § 19
 § 19
 § 19
 § 20
 § 20
 § 19
 § 19
 § 19
 § 19
 § 19