Montgomery Family Medicine has just recently adopted an electronic medical records system. Visits in the fall of 2011 and onward will be recorded and stored electronically. However, all of our patient’s past medical history is still paper-based. These paper charts have been routinely audited for completeness and correctness. When you call, your paper chart will still need to be pulled in order to answer any questions or confirm information.
The charts and the information (whether electronic or on paper) belong to the practice, but you are entitled to request copies at anytime. There is a fee for copying the charts and it may take a week to ten days. The copying fee is $5.00 plus $1.00 per sheet for the first 25 sheets, and $.50 for every sheet over 25. We are not staffed for on-demand copying and use a weekly service. Any electronic notes can be printed off or provided on CD. Federal law requires a signed release before we can begin the process. We routinely dispose of medical records older than seven years through a secure and certified shredding service.
