Custodian Of Medical Records Laws in Iowa

Iowa

Medical Records Custodian & Retention Laws

Are you planning to close your medical practice or retire?
Morgan Records Management (MRM) is the top choice for managing medical records in the US, and we’re here to help! Our team will guide you through every step of the process to ensure a smooth transition.

Morgan Records Management:

Has over 25 years of experience with Providers in ALL 50 States!
Handles 3,000-4,000 Patient Record Requests a month
Manages over 1,500 Physician Practices Nationwide
Assists in Notifying Patients of the Practice Closing - Via Email and Closing Practice Letters
Offers Secure Physical and or Digital Storage of Records
Is Fully HIPAA Compliant
Is Responsible for over 15 million Patient Records
Assumes Custody of Physician’s Website and Handles all Patient Communications

Iowa Medical Record Retention Law:
653 IAC 13.7(8)(a)-(b) (Board of Medicine)

Adult patients: At least 7 years, except as otherwise required by law.
Patients who were minors: Governed by Iowa Code s.614.8 (the minors' limitation statute).
The retention period runs from: The last date of service.

If you are closing, selling or relocating your practice
Iowa sets out what has to happen to patient records. The points below are taken from the source above.

13.7(8)(c) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023: a physician MUST APPOINT another Iowa-licensed physician, or other representative or entity held to the same standards of confidentiality, to ensure these requirements are met in the event of the physician's DEATH OR INCAPACITATION
On request by the board, the physician must be able to ESTABLISH BY SUFFICIENT PROOF that the representative was appointed
13.7(8)(d)(1) On death, retirement, SALE of the practice, or departure: ensure all records are transferred to another physician or entity held to the same confidentiality standards AND THAT AGREES TO ACT AS CUSTODIAN OF THE RECORDS
13.7(8)(d)(2) NOTIFY ALL ACTIVE PATIENTS that their records will be transferred to the entity retaining custody, and that on written request the records will be sent to the physician or entity of the patient's choice
[ARC 6683C, IAB 11/30/22, effective 1/4/23]

Iowa closing-practice checklist
The same requirements as a checklist you can print and work through, with the retention periods, the notice each rule requires and what you may charge for copies.
Open the Iowa checklist →

Cost

$1.00 per page for the first 30 pages, then 25 cents per page.

Verified September 2026

This page summarises the source above and is not legal advice. Retention periods change and several states adjust their copying fees every year, so confirm the current text before you rely on a date or a figure.