Banner

Q&A: Withholding medical records

Article

Get your questions answered on handling an outstanding account balance.

Q: Is it legal to withhold the medical records of a patient who has an outstanding account balance?

A: As with most medical records-related issues, this one is state-specific, so the answer is, it depends. The states, as always, vary. Generally, however, if the record is needed for purposes of treatment, then it must be turned over. If the record is not needed for purposes of treatment, then you may be able to withhold the record pending payment of the patient balance, as if you had a lien on the record.

Related Videos
Gary Price, MD, MBA
Victor J. Dzau, MD, gives expert advice
Ron Holder, MHA, gives expert advice
remote patient monitoring
referral
no shows
effective meetings
phone
© 2023 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.