How long should my doctor keep my records?
Each state has different laws dictating how long medical records must be kept by a facility. These regulations vary and are always subject to change.
Some examples include:
California: In California, the law requires hospitals to keep records for at least 7 years after the patient was discharged. There is no law for how long healthcare providers must keep records.
Tennessee: Most healthcare providers must keep patient records for at least 10 years after their last visit. For minors, the records must be kept for at least 10 years after the final office visit or until the child reaches 19 years of age.
Kentucky: There are no specific laws dictating how long doctor’s offices must keep medical records. However, hospitals need to keep records for at least 5 years after the visit date.
