Today's Healthcare 101: How to Request Your Medical Records

Our Patient Empowerment Guide Trisha Torrey has just put together a terrific new article that I highly recommend for all thyroid patients -- and frankly, for anyone who sees a doctor. It covers everything you want to know about how to request your medical records, including who can make a request, how it can be done, what it costs, and more. It's wonderful information that will help you be a more empowered and informed patient, so you'll definitely want to read and bookmark Trisha's article.

Regarding getting copies of your medical records, I also have several additional tips for patients...

1. If your doctor's office is paper-based -- and let's face it, most still are -- leave a stack of self-addressed, stamped envelopes with your doctor's office, and a printed, colored label to affix to your file indicating that you would like photocopies of all lab tests sent to you. Most offices I've found are more cooperative when you make it easier for them to send you a copy.

2. If you have fax access, have your doctor's office fax you a copy of your blood test results. Many doctors' offices don't mind faxing the results to you. (Some even are receiving the test results in an electronic or PDF form, and can easily redirect it to you by fax.) Also ask that it be put into your record to always fax you a copy of test results.

(Don't have a fax machine at home or work that you can use? No problem. If you have an email address, get a free electronic fax number. You'll get the fax notification by email, and you can then read them, save on your computer, and print. Go to the eFax Free signup page to get started.)

3. Ask your doctor's office if they are using any electronic patient communications systems for sharing results. Some computerized offices now use various HIPAA-compliant, secure online systems where they can post your test results, and you can review them via secure login access over the Internet.

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