Practice Management Alert

Question: How do I know how long I need to keep records for patients? Are there federal requirements? Do the rules differ if patients are considered children or adults?

Louisiana Subscriber

Answer: The amount of time you’re supposed to keep medical records on file depends on your respective state’s laws. There’s no federal directive, and the rules differ for doctors’ offices versus hospitals in some states.

In Louisiana, a physician’s office is required to keep records for patients for six years from the date a patient is last treated. But in Texas, for example, offices must keep medical records for adults for seven years past the date of the last treatment and, for minors, seven years after the date of last treatment or until the patient turns 21, whichever comes later. Find your state’s information here:  www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/appa7-1.pdf.