| Medical Records FAQs |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before the copies are ready?
By law, copies of the requested Protected Health Information (PHI) must be available within 15 business days of the accurately completed request; however, on average, we have them ready no later than five days.
Is all PHI released through the ROI Dept?
No, but ROI can direct the release of PHI. When necessary, the request will be forwarded to the appropriate department for items such as billing information, radiology films, etc.
Is there a fee for copying PHI?
Per Hendrick policy, “A fee will not be charged for a patient to view his/her own PHI, or for copies of PHI no more than 2 separate times; however, a fee will be charged patients requesting more than 3 copies of their PHI. Others will be charged fees in accordance with the State of Texas fee schedule.
Can I request someone else’s PHI?
If the person is 18 or older, in most cases, only the patient can authorize release of the PHI, unless appropriate legal documentation (power of attorney with specific PHI designation, guardianship papers, etc.) is presented. If the patient is a minor, the parent or legal guardian may authorize the release of PHI with picture ID and appropriate documentation presented (birth certificate, divorce decree/custody decree, guardianship papers, etc.).
Can I request PHI for a deceased person?
PHI for a deceased person can be released if appropriate documentation is provided. This will generally include documentation naming the person with legal authority to release the records (eg. A copy of the patient’s will, affidavit of surviving spouse, court order, etc) and, if the patient did not expire at HMC, a copy of the death certificate.
Can I request a copy of a birth or death certificate?
These are government documents and may ONLY be requested through the State of Texas Registrar. In Abilene, the local registrar may be contacted at:
Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District
Vital Statistics Office
850 N. 6th St.
Abilene, Texas 79603
325-692-5600
|