Here are instructions for how to request your medical records from UCSF Health. Every hospital has a slightly different process for requesting your medical records. Usually you need to submit a form in order to authorize the hospital to share records with anyone--even if you're just requesting your own records. This helps to ensure that your private information stays safe.
USCF gives you three options for requesting medical records. First, you can submit a request online for UCSF Medical Center, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco or UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland.
Second, you can complete their health information release form and mail it to the address above.
Third, you can mail them a written request with your medical record or unit number, full name at the time of treatment, and your signature to authorize release of this information.
UCSF promises to process your request within 15 days and send you the records per the method you indicated. You can also pick up your medical records in person at any of their medical records locations.
Finally, UCSF allows you to review your medical records in person if you prefer. To make an appointment to review your medical records in one of their medical records offices, please call (415) 353-2221 during their office hours.
UCSF charges 25¢ per page to copy medical records or $25 if using an electronic record. They will call to notify you of the total charge. You may mail them a check or pay the fee in person if you pick up your records.
If you sign up for PicnicHealth, we cover all of the fees that your doctors or hospitals charge to copy your records, so you don't have to worry about paying anything extra.
Having your medical records can help in a number of ways. First, they might help your doctor in diagnosing an illness. Second, they can help your doctor determine the best course of treatment. Having a copy of your records is particularly useful if you are visiting a new doctor who otherwise might not have any record or knowledge of your medical history.
Another reason it's helpful to have copies of your medical records is that your doctor or hospital may not keep them forever. In most cases, providers are required to keep copies of medical records for at least 7 years, but you may want to preserve your older records longer than that. Having your own copy ensures you always have access to your full medical history.
While it can be challenging to actually obtain your records, by law you have the right to get a copy of your medical records from any provider you see (though there are exceptions in certain circumstances, such as mental health records).
UCSF Medical Center has clear privacy policies designed to protect your medical information. For information about your rights and our obligations regarding the use and disclosure of your medical information, please see their Notice of Privacy Practices.
Radiology records are often kept separately from the rest of your medical records. This is because the images in radiology records are often incompatible with other medical record systems. Thankfully, UCSF provides CDs with radiology images and reports at no charge upon request. To request your images and report, complete a health information release form and fax it to the Radiology Imaging Library at (415) 353-8583.
Please include the following information:
• Patient name
• Patient birthdate
• Medical record number (if you know it)
• Date of exam and type of exam
• Your telephone number
• Your mailing address, including zip code
Want PicnicHealth to collect your medical records for you? Sign up for PicnicHealth and we'll do all the hard work of requesting your records--plus we'll organize them into a secure, easy-to-use digital Timeline of your medical history, including your records from all your doctors and hospitals, not just UCSF. Get Started.
