Are doctors required to provide patients or authorized persons with copies of their charts if they request it?

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only for a fee
• D. Only if the patient requests in writing

Answer: (B)

Patients have a right to access their medical records, and physicians must provide copies of charts to the patient or an authorized person upon request. This obligation comes from HIPAA, which requires covered entities to furnish a copy of the designated record set within a reasonable time frame (generally 30 days, with a possible one-time extension). They may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copying and postage, but that fee does not negate the obligation to provide the records. A request can be made orally or in writing, and the clinician must respond and provide the copies accordingly.