In what format can I get the records?

You should at least be able to get a paper copy.

You should also be able to get an electronic copy as long as your provider or plan keeps the record electronically. You might also consider asking your provider or plan if you can access your records online or if you can download it to a CD or memory stick. [See 

How should I protect medical information on a flash drive or other portable media? 

Ask your provider if it will cost more to get a copy of your records on paper than electronically. [See How much will it cost me to obtain a copy of my records?]

You may be able to have your provider email your records to you. However, you should ensure the email services you and your provider use are secure. You can do this by checking whether the URL begins with “https”, which means you are on a site that uses encryption. [See How should I protect information I access through the Internet?]

Some providers let patients view their medical records over the Internet, so you might want to ask your provider if they offer online access. If the provider only allows patients to view their records online, ask your provider if they have a download capability, so you can obtain your own copy of your records.

If you ask for a digital copy of your medical records, check the format the copy will come in. Make sure the file format is one you can open with your computer. For example, if your medical record comes in DOC format, you may need software like Microsoft Word or Microsoft Word Viewer to read the file. (Microsoft Word Viewer is available here as a free download.) You may also need software that can read a PDF file, like Adobe Acrobat (which is available free, here).

If you have a personal health record (PHR) account, you should see if your provider or plan can send your information directly to your PHR. A PHR is a service that lets you store and use your health information from a variety of sources, like some doctor’s offices. Most PHR services give patients a lot of control over what data goes in and out of the PHR. [Click here for more information about PHRs.]