How should a physician respond to a letter from a patients attorney requesting medical information?
Be sure the request contains an original dated written authorization from the patient, or the parent or guardian of a child, or when the patient is deceased, the appropriate legal representative of the patient’s estate. If the release is more than one year old, it is prudent to request a more recent one. Forward a complete copy of the patient’s record, or only specifically requested items if they have been detailed. You may request a reasonable fee for photocopies and processing the request; by statute in Connecticut a hospital may charge 65cents per page plus 1st class postage; a physician’s office may charge 45cents plus postage. You should not prepare a written summary of the patient’s care and treatment. Because specific laws and regulations impose liability and monetary penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of patient information regarding HIV status, alcohol or drug treatment and psychiatric treatment, without specific written authorization from the patient, a release form fo
