Understanding medical records retention laws can be complicated, primarily because most guidance on the subject is provided at the state level rather than through comprehensive federal regulations. While HIPAA offers some minimal guidance on certain records, it does not establish a universal policy. Each state is responsible for creating and enforcing its own guidelines.
Some states have detailed and thorough retention guidelines, while others provide minimal direction or only address specific types of facilities, such as public hospitals. Due to these variations, we at Morgan Records Management recognize how challenging it can be to grasp your state’s retention policies. To assist you, we’ve developed a state-by-state resource to help you understand your state’s health information retention requirements.
Click on your state in the map below for a summary of the medical records retention laws specific to your area. As always, the Morgan Records Management team is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your state’s policies.
Medical Records Retention by State
Disclaimer: This map is designed to provide introductory insight into complex laws governing state medical records retention policy. This map should not be used for legal purposes, nor should it be used as the sole resource in forming or implementing an organizational retention policy. Please consult an attorney with specific legal issues related to medical records retention.
The information featured in this map is current as of July 2024 but can change in the future.