How to get old medical records when a practice closes or a doctor retires
Start with your state's row: it says what the law requires when a practice or hospital closes and, where we found one, links the state's own page on finding old records. In 2026, state law in 29 states says what a doctor must do when a practice closes or the doctor retires or dies, most often tell patients (19 states). In 4 states there is only board guidance. In 1 state the law covers only some doctors. In 7 states we found no rule. In 1 state we could not finish reading the rule. 9 more places are under review. For hospitals, state law in 34 states and DC sets a rule for closing, most often to tell the state (28 states and DC); in 9 states we found no rule, and 7 are under review. We link an official page on finding old records in 8 states.
Not legal advice. This page says what US state laws require when a doctor's practice or a hospital closes, and where to ask for old records. It is general information, not a substitute for advice from a lawyer, and not medical advice. It shows state laws as of and federal rules read between and . Laws, offices and websites change, so check with the office itself before you rely on anything here.
Where records go when a practice closes
- AA State law
- AAG Board guidance, not law
- AA* A law for only some doctors (the row says which)
- AA No duty shown: no rule found, under review, not researched, or another rule
Each code links to its row. A state can appear under more than one duty. A number after a code is the years the law says records must be kept after closing.
Doctors
Tell patients of the closing or how to get their records20 by law, 4 by board guidance
Not researched (we could not finish reading the rule)1
Hospitals
Source: state statutes, rules and board pages read on October 8, 2026. Each state's reading was checked by a second reader; a reading the check disputed is held back until our editors rule.
See the numbers
| Duty | Doctors, state law | Doctors, guidance | Hospitals, state law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tell patients of the closing or how to get their records | 20: AZ CO CT DE GA IL IA NH NY ND OH OR RI SC SD TN VT VA WI WY | 4: ME MS WA WV | 10: CO FL GA IL LA OR RI SD VA WV |
| Records go to, or stay with, a custodian | 11: CT DE IA KS MA MI ND RI SC TN WI | 0 | 8: AZ CT FL LA MI NH SD WV |
| Tell the medical board or health department | 11: AK AR DE HI KS MI NV ND OR RI WY | 0 | 29: AZ CO CT FL GA HI IL IN KS LA MI MS NE NH NJ NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD UT VA WA DC WY |
| Records must still be kept after closing | 5: AZ CT DE MA SC | 0 | 10: AR CO NE NH NC ND OK OR PA UT |
| No rule found | 7: ID KY MN MO MT NE UT | 9: DE ID IA ME MN MO MT VT WI | |
| Under review | 9: AL FL IN MD NJ NM OK PA DC | 7: AK CA MD MA NM NY TX | |
| Not researched (we could not finish reading the rule) | 1: CA | 0 | |
| A rule that requires none of these four duties | 3: LA NC TX | 4: AL KY NV TN | |
| Total, the 50 states and DC | 51 | 51 | |
State law decides what a doctor must do with patients' records when a practice closes or the doctor retires or dies. Of the 29 places with a rule we could confirm, 19 require the doctor to tell patients (16 of them, how to get their records), 11 require the records to go to, or stay with, a custodian, 11 require the doctor to tell the medical board or health department, and 5 require the records to still be kept after closing (1 of them counts the period from the closing).
HIPAA, the federal privacy law, gives you the right to a copy from most health care providers “for as long as the protected health information is maintained in the designated record set”, with some exceptions, such as psychotherapy notes. HHS says “The HIPAA Rules apply only when PHI is created, received, maintained, or transmitted by covered entities and business associates.” A storage company or an estate holding a closed practice's records may not be one of those. To ask, see how to get your medical records.
Sources: 45 CFR 164.524, Access of individuals to protected health information, read October 5, 2026; Protecting the Privacy and Security of Your Health Information When Using Your Personal Cell Phone or Tablet (the HHS page on who HIPAA covers), read October 4, 2026; state laws as in the table.
Your state's official page on finding old records
In 8 states, we link an official page on finding the records of a closed practice or hospital. Each quote is the page's own words.
- Georgia (doctors): My doctor is no longer in practice, (or my doctor is deceased). How do I obtain a copy of my medical records under these circumstances? | Georgia Composite Medical Board.
Check the Georgia Medical Board web site to verify a current mailing address or call (404) 656-3913 for assistance. The Medical Board will inform you of the doctor's last reported address
- Minnesota (doctors): Medical Records Information - MN Dept. of Health.
Call the Board of Medical Practice at (612) 617-2130 or 1-800-657-3709. Ask if they have any information on your doctor’s current location.
- Nevada (doctors): Investigation Division - Frequently Asked Questions.
What if the doctor has closed his office and I can't find him, or he refuses to give me a copy of my records? You then file a complaint against the doctor with us.
- New York (doctors): the state's page on finding records.
For information about locating medical records from closed private practitioners, you may contact the Office of Professional Medical Conduct at the following link: https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/doctors/conduct/
- Oregon (doctors): Oregon Medical Board : Patient Records : Topics of Interest : State of Oregon.
If a OMB licensee has stopped practicing and a patient is unable to locate their medical records, please contact the Oregon Medical Board at info@omb.oregon.gov or 971-673-2700 to ask if a records storage address is on file for the OMB licensee.
- Texas (doctors): Patient Information and Medical Records | Texas Medical Board.
Patients may also contact the TMB to determine if a custodian of records has been reported.
- Minnesota (hospitals): Medical Records Locator.
Locating records from closed or renamed hospitals.
- New Jersey (hospitals): Department of Health | Integrated Health | Obtaining Patient Records (only closed state psychiatric hospitals (Hagedorn and Marlboro)).
For information related to Hagedorn or Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital medical records, liens, or other patient account information
- Tennessee (hospitals): Tennessee Department of Health Contact.
Medical Records Closed Licensed Facilities (615) 741-4411
In Washington, the state's page says it keeps no records of closed practices: Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon - Frequently Asked Questions | Washington State Department of Health.
Where we list no such page for your state, ask its medical board for doctors, or its health department for hospitals.
What your state requires when a doctor closes, retires or dies
Each row says what the state's law requires of a doctor and of a hospital when they close, and links the state's own page on finding old records where we found one. The page covers doctors (MD and DO) and hospitals; rules for dentists, nurses and other providers are not listed. Rows that a check disputed stay under review until our editors rule: 9 for doctors and 7 for hospitals. The table shows state laws as of October 8, 2026.
How to read a row
- The duties are the four in the figure: tell patients, hand the records to a custodian, tell the board or the state, and keep the records after closing.
- A custodian is a person or company the law names to hold the records after the practice closes and give patients copies.
- The board recommends means board guidance: the medical board recommends it; no law requires it.
- Where to ask links an official page that tells you how to find the records.
- No rule found means we searched the state's laws, rules and board pages and found no closing rule. Ask the medical board or health department.
- Under review means we are holding the row back: a check found a detail our stored sources do not yet support, or a second reader disagreed with the first. We show it once our editors rule. Until then, ask the medical board or health department.
- Not researched means we could not finish reading the state's rule. MD and DO are the two kinds of licensed physician. HHS is the US Department of Health and Human Services. A state licensing agency is the state office that licenses hospitals.
| State | Doctors | Hospitals | Law we read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | The law has a closing rule, but none of these four duties; the Law we read column links it. | Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-7-.13(5).Back to the list of states |
| Alaska | Must tell the medical board or health department | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | 12 AAC 40.967(30).Back to the list of states |
| Arizona | Must tell patients how to get their recordsMust still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | Records go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust tell the state licensing agency | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-3211(A)(1); Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-2297(B); Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-422(D); Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-422.01(A); Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-422.01(B).Back to the list of states |
| Arkansas | Must tell the medical board or health department | Must still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | 17 CAR § 140-2703(a); 17 CAR § 140-2703(c); 20 CAR § 41-113(a)(20)(A); 20 CAR § 41-113(a)(20)(B); 20 CAR § 43-113(a)(20)(B).Back to the list of states |
| California | Not researchedWe could not finish reading this state's rule. Ask the medical board or health department. | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | No law to cite yet.Back to the list of states |
| Colorado | Must tell patients how to get their recordsQuote not yet matched word for word to our stored copy of the page; a second reader confirmed it. | Must tell patients how to get their recordsMust tell the state licensing agencyMust still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | C.R.S. 12-240-142(3); C.R.S. 12-240-142(1)(b); Colorado Medical Board Policy 40-07, section I.D.1 (guidance); Colorado Medical Board Policy 40-07, section I.D.2 (guidance); 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 2.14.6(A)(1); 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 2.14.6(A)(2); 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 4, Part 10.8; 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 2.14.6(A)(3).Back to the list of states |
| Connecticut | Must tell patients of the closingRecords go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | Records go to, or stay with, a custodianMust tell the state licensing agency | Regs. Conn. State Agencies § 19a-14-44; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-7c(d); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-7c(g); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-490b(e); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-490b(e)(2).Back to the list of states |
| Delaware | Must tell patients how to get their recordsRecords go to, or stay with, a custodianMust tell the medical board or health departmentMust keep records 7 years after closing | No rule foundNext step: ask the state health department.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026; we searched for: close; closing; closure; cease; discontinue; records; hospital | 24 Del. C. § 1761(a)(1); 24 Del. C. § 1761(a)(2)a.; 24 Del. C. § 1761(a)(5); 24 Del. C. § 1761(a)(4); 24 Del. C. § 1761A(a); 24 Del. C. § 1761A(b); 24 Del. C. § 1761(b)(1).Back to the list of states |
| Florida | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | Must tell patients of the closingRecords go to, or stay with, a custodianMust tell the state licensing agency | Fla. Stat. s. 408.810(4)(a); Fla. Stat. s. 408.810(4)(b); Fla. Stat. s. 408.810(4)(b)2..Back to the list of states |
| Georgia | Must tell patients how to get their recordsWhere to ask: My doctor is no longer in practice, (or my doctor is deceased). How do I obtain a copy of my medical records under these circumstances? | Georgia Composite Medical Board | Must tell patients how to get their recordsMust tell the state licensing agency | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 360-3-.02(16)(b); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 360-3-.02(16)(b)1; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 111-8-40-.03(g); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 111-8-40-.03(g)1.Back to the list of states |
| Hawaii | Must tell the medical board or health department | Must tell the state licensing agency | Haw. Rev. Stat. 622-58(e).Back to the list of states |
| Idaho | No rule foundNext step: ask the state medical board.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026; we searched for: closing practice; retire; custodian; medical records; closure; records custodian | No rule foundNext step: ask the state health department.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | No law to cite yet.Back to the list of states |
| Illinois | Must tell patients how to get their records | Must tell patients how to get their recordsMust tell the state licensing agency | 735 ILCS 5/8-2001(f); 210 ILCS 85/6.14e; 20 ILCS 2310/2310-67(b); 20 ILCS 2310/2310-67(b)(1); 77 Ill. Adm. Code 250.120(p); 77 Ill. Adm. Code 250.1510(e)(2).Back to the list of states |
| Indiana | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | Must tell the state licensing agency | IC 16-21-17.1-2(a).Back to the list of states |
| Iowa | Must tell patients how to get their recordsRecords go to a custodian who must give patients access | No rule foundNext step: ask the state health department.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-655.5(8)(d)(1); Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-655.5(8)(d)(2); Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-655.5(8)(c).Back to the list of states |
| Kansas | Records go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust tell the medical board or health department | Must tell the state licensing agency | K.A.R. 100-24-3; K.S.A. 65-28,128(b); K.S.A. 65-28,128(e)(1); K.A.R. 28-34-9a(d)(2).Back to the list of states |
| Kentucky | No rule foundNext step: ask the state medical board.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | The law has a closing rule, but none of these four duties; the Law we read column links it. | 902 KAR 20:016, Section 3(11)(b)3..Back to the list of states |
| Louisiana | The law has a closing rule, but none of these four duties; the Law we read column links it. | Must tell patients how to get their recordsRecords go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust tell the state licensing agency | LAC 46:XLV.7603(A)(10)(c); LAC 46:XLV.7603(A)(10)(d); LSBME Statement of Position, November 20, 2008 (guidance); LAC 48:I.9307(E); LAC 48:I.9307(E)(3); LAC 48:I.9307(E)(4); LAC 48:I.9395(C).Back to the list of states |
| Maine | Board guidance, not lawThe board recommends telling patients | No rule foundNext step: ask the state health department.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine, Fall 2023 Newsletter, A Guide for Closing a Medical Practice (guidance).Back to the list of states |
| Maryland | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | No law to cite yet.Back to the list of states |
| Massachusetts | Records go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | 243 CMR 2.06(4)(d); 243 CMR 2.07(13)(f).Back to the list of states |
| Michigan | Records go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust tell the medical board or health department | Records go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust tell the state licensing agency | MCL 333.16213(6); MCL 333.16213(6)(a)(iii); MCL 333.16213(6)(b); MCL 333.20175a(2); MCL 333.20175a(2)(a)(iii); MCL 333.20175a(2)(b); Mich Admin Code R 325.45169(1); Mich Admin Code R 325.45169(4)(c).Back to the list of states |
| Minnesota | No rule foundNext step: ask the state medical board.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026; we searched for: closing practice medical records; retire physician records; custodian of records; deceased physician records; cease practice patient recordsWhere to ask: Medical Records Information - MN Dept. of Health | No rule foundNext step: ask the state health department.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026; we searched for: hospital closing records; facility closing patient records; cease operations records; custodian of recordsWhere to ask: Medical Records Locator | No law to cite yet.Back to the list of states |
| Mississippi | Board guidance, not lawThe board recommends telling patients | Must tell the state licensing agency | Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure Policy 3.17 (guidance); Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure Policy 3.17, Patient Notification item 4 (guidance); 15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 16, Subpt. 1, R. 41.5.1 (Closure); 15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 16, Subpt. 1, R. 41.5.1 (Closure, item E).Back to the list of states |
| Missouri | No rule foundNext step: ask the state medical board.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | No rule foundNext step: ask the state health department.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | No law to cite yet.Back to the list of states |
| Montana | No rule foundNext step: ask the state medical board.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | No rule foundNext step: ask the state health department.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | No law to cite yet.Back to the list of states |
| Nebraska | No rule foundNext step: ask the state medical board.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | Must tell the state licensing agencyMust still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | 175 NAC 1-008.05.Back to the list of states |
| Nevada | Must tell the medical board or health departmentWhere to ask: Investigation Division - Frequently Asked Questions | The law has a closing rule, but none of these four duties; the Law we read column links it. | NRS 630.254(3)(a); NRS 630.254(3)(b); NRS 630.139(1); NAC 633.260(2); NAC 633.260(2)(a); NRS 629.061(1); NRS 449.171(1); NRS 449.171(2)(c); NAC 449.009(4).Back to the list of states |
| New Hampshire | Must tell patients of the closing | Records go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust tell the state licensing agencyMust keep records 7 years after closing | N.H. Admin. Rules, Med 501.02(f)(9)a.; N.H. Admin. Rules, Med 501.02(f)(9)b.-c.; N.H. Admin. Rules, Med 501.02(f)(10); N.H. Admin. Rules, He-P 802.09(m); N.H. Admin. Rules, He-P 802.21(h).Back to the list of states |
| New Jersey | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | Must tell the state licensing agencyWhere to ask: Department of Health | Integrated Health | Obtaining Patient Records (only closed state psychiatric hospitals (Hagedorn and Marlboro)) | N.J.A.C. 8:43G-15.1(c); proposed 51 N.J.R. 1316(a) (August 19, 2019); adopted without change, R.2021 d.039.Back to the list of states |
| New Mexico | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | No law to cite yet.Back to the list of states |
| New York | Must tell patients how to get their recordsWhere to ask: the state's page on finding records | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | N.Y. Pub. Health Law 18(13)(a); N.Y. Pub. Health Law 18(13)(d); N.Y. Pub. Health Law 18(13)(c).Back to the list of states |
| North Carolina | The law has a closing rule, but none of these four duties; the Law we read column links it. | Must tell the state licensing agencyMust keep records 11 years after closing | N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-5.1(a)(6); 10A NCAC 13B .3903(c).Back to the list of states |
| North Dakota | Must tell patients how to get their recordsRecords go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust tell the medical board or health department | Must tell the state licensing agencyMust keep records 10 years after closing | N.D. Admin. Code 50-01-03-01(3)(a); N.D. Admin. Code 50-01-03-01(3)(b); N.D. Admin. Code 50-01-03-01(3)(c); N.D. Admin. Code 33-07-01.1-20(1)(a)(4).Back to the list of states |
| Ohio | Must tell patients how to get their records | Must tell the state licensing agency | Ohio Adm.Code 4731-27-03(C)(1); Ohio Adm.Code 4731-27-03(C)(3)(e); R.C. 4731.228(C)(1); R.C. 4731.228(D)(5); Ohio Adm.Code 3701-22-03(J)(2).Back to the list of states |
| Oklahoma | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | Must tell the state licensing agencyMust still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | OAC 310:667-19-14(b)(4).Back to the list of states |
| Oregon | Must tell patients how to get their recordsMust tell the medical board or health departmentWhere to ask: Oregon Medical Board : Patient Records : Topics of Interest : State of Oregon | Must tell patients how to get their recordsMust tell the state licensing agencyMust still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | OAR 847-012-0000(4); Oregon Medical Board Statement of Philosophy (adopted July 2008, amended October 6, 2022) (guidance); OAR 333-500-0060(2); OAR 333-500-0060(3); OAR 333-505-0050(17).Back to the list of states |
| Pennsylvania | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | Must tell the state licensing agencyMust keep records 5 years after closing | 28 Pa. Code § 115.23(c).Back to the list of states |
| Rhode Island | Must tell patients how to get their recordsRecords go to a custodian who must give patients accessMust tell the medical board or health department | Must tell patients how to get their recordsMust tell the state licensing agency | R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-30(a); R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-30(c); 216-RICR-40-05-1, § 1.5.10(A)(1); 216-RICR-40-10-4, § 4.6.10(M)(1); 216-RICR-40-10-4, § 4.6.10(M)(3); 216-RICR-40-10-4, § 4.6.10(M)(4).Back to the list of states |
| South Carolina | Must tell patients how to get their recordsRecords go to, or stay with, a custodianMust still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | Must tell the state licensing agency | S.C. Code Regs. 81-1(A); S.C. Code Regs. 81-1(C)(2); S.C. Code Regs. 81-1(C)(5); S.C. Code Regs. 81-1(D); S.C. Code Ann. § 44-115-130; S.C. Code Regs. 60-16 § 1107(D); S.C. Code Regs. 60-16 § 1107(C).Back to the list of states |
| South Dakota | Must tell patients how to get their records | Must tell patients how to get their recordsRecords go to, or stay with, a custodianMust tell the state licensing agency | SDCL 36-4-37; ARSD 44:75:09:09.Back to the list of states |
| Tennessee | Must tell patients of the closingRecords go to a custodian who must give patients access | The law has a closing rule, but none of these four duties; the Law we read column links it.Where to ask: Tennessee Department of Health Contact | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-02-.15(4)(e)1; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-02-.15(4)(b); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-02-.15(4)(e)3(ii); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-02-.15(4)(e)4(i); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0720-14-.06(5)(f).Back to the list of states |
| Texas | The law has a closing rule, but none of these four duties; the Law we read column links it.Where to ask: Patient Information and Medical Records | Texas Medical Board | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | Tex. Occ. Code § 159.0061(a); Tex. Occ. Code § 159.0061(b)(1).Back to the list of states |
| Utah | No rule foundNext step: ask the state medical board.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026; we searched for: medical records closure; ceases practice; discontinues practice; retire; custodian; closing practice patient records | Must tell the state licensing agencyMust still keep records after closing; the period counts from another date or comes from another rule (see how long medical records are kept) | Utah Admin. Code R380-600-3(22); Utah Admin. Code R432-100-34(4)(a)-(b).Back to the list of states |
| Vermont | Only for osteopathic physicians (DOs)Must tell patients how to get their records | No rule foundNext step: ask the state health department.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | 3 V.S.A. § 129a(a)(8); 3 V.S.A. § 129a(a)(25); 26 V.S.A. § 1842(b).Back to the list of states |
| Virginia | Must tell patients how to get their records | Must tell patients how to get their recordsMust tell the state licensing agency | Va. Code § 54.1-2405(A); 12VAC5-410-130(G)(1); 12VAC5-410-130(G).Back to the list of states |
| Washington | Board guidance, not lawThe board recommends telling patientsIn Washington, the state's page says it keeps no records of closed practices: Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon - Frequently Asked Questions | Washington State Department of Health. | Must tell the state licensing agency | Washington Medical Commission Guideline GUI2024-01, section VII.A (guidance); Washington Medical Commission Guideline GUI2024-01, section VII.D (guidance); Washington Medical Commission Guideline GUI2024-01, section VII.B (guidance); RCW 70.41.190(3).Back to the list of states |
| Washington, DC | Under reviewHeld back until our editors rule. | Must tell the state licensing agency | 22-B DCMR § 2030.7.Back to the list of states |
| West Virginia | Board guidance, not lawThe board recommends telling patients | Must tell patients how to get their recordsRecords go to a custodian who must give patients access | West Virginia Board of Medicine guidance page (undated) (guidance); W. Va. Code 16B-3-16(b); W. Va. Code 16B-3-16(c).Back to the list of states |
| Wisconsin | Must tell patients how to get their recordsRecords go to a custodian who must give patients access | No rule foundNext step: ask the state health department.Where we looked, searched October 8, 2026 | Wis. Stat. 146.819(1)(a); Wis. Stat. 146.819(2)(a); Wis. Stat. 146.819(3)(a).Back to the list of states |
| Wyoming | Must tell patients how to get their recordsMust tell the medical board or health department | Must tell the state licensing agency | Wyo. Admin. Rules 052.0001.3, Section 5(b); Wyo. Admin. Rules 048.0061.12, Section 5(m)(i); Wyo. Admin. Rules 048.0061.17, Section 5(k)(i).Back to the list of states |
Records from a hospital that closed
State law in 34 states and DC sets a rule for when a hospital closes. Most often the hospital must tell the state (28 states and DC); in 10 states it must tell patients, in 8 states the records go to a custodian, and in 10 states the records must still be kept after closing (4 of them count the period from the closing). In Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Vermont and Wisconsin we found no rule. 7 more are under review.
Childhood records
A child's records can be kept longer than an adult's, so records from childhood may still exist. How long each state's law says they must be kept is on how long medical records are kept, in each state's row.
How far back you can get records
Only as far back as the doctor, the hospital or whoever took over its records still keeps them. Each state's minimum period is on how long medical records are kept. When a period ends, the provider may be allowed to destroy the record but does not have to, so older records may still exist.
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