What do I do if something is incorrect or missing?
Under HIPAA, if you think there’s a mistake in your health record, you have a right to ask your provider to fix it.
Step 1: Contact your provider
Contact your provider’s office and find out what their process is for making a change to your health record. They may ask you to write a letter or fill out a form. If they have a form, ask them to email, fax, or mail a copy to you.
Step 2: Write down what you want fixed
If your provider has a form, and you want to fix a simple mistake: Fill out the form and attach a copy of the record page where you found the mistake to help them find it.
If your provider doesn’t have a form or it’s a more complex mistake, you may want to write a letter describing the correction. Make sure you include:
Your full name, address, phone number
Your doctor, nurse, or provider’s full name and address
Date of service
A short, specific, and clear explanation of what needs to be fixed and why
A copy of the record page where you found the mistake
Your signature
Step 3: Make a copy of your request
Make a complete copy of everything you’re sending to your provider for your own records.
Step 4: Send your request
Depending on your provider’s processes, you can deliver your request by:
Secure email through your patient portal
Non-secure email (your personal email)
Fax
Mail (standard postal service)
In person
Note: If you want to send your request by email (secure or non-secure) you’ll need to attach digital copies (PDF files) of the record page where you found the mistake and the request form. Remember, using secure email or a patient portal helps protect your privacy and personal information. You can download your files from OneRecord to send to your doctor.
Find out who needs to fix the mistake
Make sure you address your request to the specific doctor, or other provider, who made the mistake. It will be their responsibility to fix it. Note: Your doctor or provider may have retired or changed practices. If this is the case, the clinic, office, or hospital can tell you who should receive your request.
What happens after I request a correction?
Your provider has 60 days to respond to your request, unless they ask for an extension (extra time). Here’s what you can expect:
If your provider agrees there’s a mistake in your health record, they’ll update your record and send you a notice — either in your patient portal or via email or mail — that they’ve taken care of it.
If your provider does not agree with you, they’ll send you a denial notice that should include:
The reason they’re not going to fix the mistake. For example, they might say they believe your health record is correct and complete.
Information about how to reply to their decision
What do I do if my provider doesn’t agree with my request?
If your provider does not agree that there is a mistake in your health record, you can:
Send them a formal letter in reply to their decision, stating clearly why you disagree. Their denial notice should include instructions on how to do that. If not, call their office. This response will be attached to your health record.
If you don’t want to reply to the denial notice, you can ask your provider to attach a copy of your original request and the denial notice to the affected page(s) of your health record.
File a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services. Get more information on filing a complaint at HHS.gov.
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns please contact us via the "help button" in the bottom right hand corner of the screen or email us at support@onerecord.com.