The medical record is the property of which entity, and release to a patient or their representative requires what?

The medical record is the property of which entity, and release to a patient or their representative requires what?

• A. The patient's family owns the medical record and can request release
• B. The patient's insurer owns the medical record and requests must be in writing to the insurer
• C. The hospital owns the medical record and release requires written authorization from the physician
• D. The hospital owns the medical record and release requires written authorization from the patient

Answer: (D)

Medical records are owned by the health care facility that created them. While patients have the right to access their own records, releasing those records to the patient or to a person who represents the patient requires the patient’s written authorization. This protects privacy and puts control of sensitive information in the patient’s hands, especially when disclosure is to someone other than the patient themselves. The requirement isn’t that a physician must authorize the release, and ownership isn’t with the family or the insurer. There are typical exceptions for disclosures made as part of treatment, billing, or health care operations, but for a general release to a patient or their representative, a written authorization from the patient is the proper step.

Medical records are owned by the health care facility that created them. While patients have the right to access their own records, releasing those records to the patient or to a person who represents the patient requires the patient’s written authorization. This protects privacy and puts control of sensitive information in the patient’s hands, especially when disclosure is to someone other than the patient themselves. The requirement isn’t that a physician must authorize the release, and ownership isn’t with the family or the insurer. There are typical exceptions for disclosures made as part of treatment, billing, or health care operations, but for a general release to a patient or their representative, a written authorization from the patient is the proper step.