Department Contact:
Health Information Management
Location:
408 Wendell Ave
Lewistown, MT 59457
NH Rooms 118 & 119
Phone:
Fax:
(406) 535-4696
Email:
Medical Records Release Forms
You can request a copy of your health records be sent to a specific facility or for yourself by submitting a completed authorization.
Do you want your healthcare team to be able to talk to a family member or personal representative about your health information or billing needs? Submit the Verbal Consent form to CMMC. This consent will be valid for one year, unless changed or revoked by you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How secure are my medical records?
Protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your medical record is very important to us. We are required by federal law to make sure that any medical information that identifies you is kept private.
We cannot disclose your record to anyone else (including family members) unless we are authorized by law or directed by you to do so. This is a federal regulation.
How can I get copies of my medical records?
You must fill out and sign an authorization form, linked above, show photo ID and pay the charge for copying. Copies may be sent directly to other health care providers at no cost.
You can also access your medical records by signing up for Patient Connect.
How long will it take to get a copy of my medical records?
Though HIM strives to quickly fulfill requests, it can take up to 15 days to process. We may require longer time if a large number or older records are requested. We prioritize requests that are needed for continuity of care.
What does it cost?
Obtaining a copy of your medical record requires a $10 fee to retrieve the records and $0.50 per page. However, we will send copies directly to other health care providers at no cost.
You can access your medical records for no fee through Patient Connect.
Does my record include X-rays and other imaging?
The record includes any reports on the results of X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs, but a copy of the actual images on a CD must be specified.
If these are requested by a health care provider, there is no charge. However, a personal copy requested by the patient has a $5 charge per CD.
Do I need to come into the office to request my records?
The authorization form can be faxed, mailed, or emailed, but we do require a copy of photo ID. If the patient does not furnish us with photo ID, they can do so when they come in to pick up their records.
What if I live out of the area?
Fax, email, or mail the authorization form, along with a copy of photo ID.
Can I ask to look at or read my medical records?
Yes. There is no charge to simply look at your record in our office. You can also access your records through Patient Connect.
Can you give me my medical information over the phone?
No. To protect the confidentiality of your information, we need to verify identity. In addition, we are not clinical personnel and cannot explain test results or other information.
Can you fax my medical information?
We can only fax medical information to a health care provider’s office upon request.
Can you send a copy of my records to another health care provider?
Yes, a copy of your records can be sent at no cost to another doctor or health care provider.
Physicians who are caring for the patient and request records from us do not need an authorization form. They may call or fax their request. We consider this follow-up patient care.
Can I make a change on my medical records if I think something is wrong?
You can have information added to make your record to make it more complete or accurate. This is called the “right to amend” your record. In certain cases, your provider can deny this request; in that situation, you have the right to add a short statement of your own to the record.
Patients Right to Amend (PDF)
Can my spouse get my medical records?
You will need to sign the authorization form before your records will be released. If they would like to pick them up for you, that must be indicated on the authorization form.
Can I get my spouse’s or child’s medical records?
Spouse: You may only access your spouse’s records with an active power of attorney for his or her medical care.
Child: A parent may usually access his or her minor child’s (under 18) records. However, there are certain cases in which this may not be permitted, such as if a health care provider reasonably believes there may be child neglect or abuse, or for certain types of medical treatment such as STD (sexually transmitted disease) testing.
A person under 18 who is married is considered emancipated, and a parent may not access his or her medical records.
Can a parent sign an authorization form for a patient who is 18?
No. Once children reach the age of 18, they must sign their own release to give consent for a parent to access their medical records.
How can I get a deceased person’s records?
If you are the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate (such as executor or administrator), you have the right to get that person’s records from a health care provider. However, if there is no personal representative, those records may be accessed by the following in the order listed:
– A surviving spouse
– A parent
– An adult child
– An adult sibling
– Another person authorized by law to act for the deceased person
Where can I get more information about my medical records and privacy rights?
Understand your rights under HIPAA to access and receive a copy of your health information:
Office for Civil Rights: Your Rights Under HIPAA
Records of alcohol and drug treatment may be subject to additional privacy rules:
Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records
How do I request a copy of my birth certificate?
You will need to contact the DPHHS Vital Records.