The HIPAA concentrates a lot on protecting PHI from other people, but can a patient see their own records? In a word yes, after all the patient is the one being talked about in them!
A patient has the right to inspect a copy of their own PHI without charge at any time within reason. A patient also has the right to obtain a copy of their records, again within reason. An organization has the right to charge a fee for making a copy, ostensibly to cover the administration cost of the request. As a record can in some cases be thousands of pages long, the patient should perhaps be selective about what is requested.
Apart from general curiosity there are many reasons why a patient would want to access their PHI. The records can be used to seek a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment, having a copy of the record would speed things up considerably. As would having a copy when accessing a new doctor if a patient changed area or state. Records are transferred as part of the procedure when changing practitioners, but having a copy of a record would speed things up if something was needed instantly.
Many decisions are based on the contents of a medical record. If a patient believes they have had decisions that seem incorrect or unfair, then it is logical to find out on what information that decision is based. If a patient was refused insurance, or the insurance refused a payout then it would also be a good idea to check the records. There may be mistakes or incorrect information in the record that needs to be changed that only you would recognize. Although having a medical record amended can be a bit of a pain…
Then there is the thorny issue of malpractice. The PHI may form either the basis or evidence towards a malpractice suit. Having a copy will aid this both for the patient and their lawyers.
In the end, the patient has the right to view or copy their own medical records. They don’t even have to have a reason, or disclose it if they don’t want to.
