How do I request my medical records in Maryland?

Under your federal right of access (HIPAA, 45 CFR § 164.524), you can get a copy of your own records from any provider in Maryland. Send a written request — the free letter on this page works — to the provider's Health Information Management or Release of Information office, or use their patient portal if they have one.

How long does a provider in Maryland have to send my records?

Within a reasonable time after a written request; under the companion penalty provision a provider must comply no later than 21 working days. Either way, HIPAA's right of access (45 CFR § 164.524) requires them to act within 30 days, with one possible 30-day extension on written notice.

How much can a provider in Maryland charge for copies of my records?

A provider may charge a copying-and-mailing fee not exceeding about 76 cents per page (adjusted annually for inflation) plus a preparation fee of up to about $22.88; electronic copies are billed at a per-page rate with the same preparation fee. Actual postage may also be charged. HIPAA separately caps any fee at a reasonable, cost-based charge for the labor of copying and the postage — whichever protects you more applies.

Is this records-request letter free?

Yes. The generator builds a HIPAA records-request letter you can download and print for free. Nothing you type is saved or sent to anyone but you.

Medical records request

How to request your medical records in Maryland

You have a federal right to a copy of your own medical records, in Maryland and everywhere else. Below is how that right works, what Maryland adds on top of it, and a free letter you can fill out and send.

Your federal right (applies in every state)

Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR 164.524), you can get a copy of your own medical records without giving a reason. A provider must act on your request within 30 days, can take one 30-day extension only with written notice, and can charge only a reasonable, cost-based fee for copying and postage.

What Maryland adds

Response time: Within a reasonable time after a written request; under the companion penalty provision a provider must comply no later than 21 working days.
Copy fees: A provider may charge a copying-and-mailing fee not exceeding about 76 cents per page (adjusted annually for inflation) plus a preparation fee of up to about $22.88; electronic copies are billed at a per-page rate with the same preparation fee. Actual postage may also be charged.
Worth knowing: A provider cannot withhold your records just because you owe the provider money for care.
The law: Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 4-304 (Copies of Records)

When Maryland law and the federal HIPAA rule differ, the one that gives you more access — faster turnaround, lower fee — is the one that applies. This is general information, not legal advice; confirm specifics with your provider's records office.

Sources

Requesting records in Maryland — common questions

How do I request my medical records in Maryland?: Under your federal right of access (HIPAA, 45 CFR § 164.524), you can get a copy of your own records from any provider in Maryland. Send a written request — the free letter on this page works — to the provider's Health Information Management or Release of Information office, or use their patient portal if they have one.
How long does a provider in Maryland have to send my records?: Within a reasonable time after a written request; under the companion penalty provision a provider must comply no later than 21 working days. Either way, HIPAA's right of access (45 CFR § 164.524) requires them to act within 30 days, with one possible 30-day extension on written notice.
How much can a provider in Maryland charge for copies of my records?: A provider may charge a copying-and-mailing fee not exceeding about 76 cents per page (adjusted annually for inflation) plus a preparation fee of up to about $22.88; electronic copies are billed at a per-page rate with the same preparation fee. Actual postage may also be charged. HIPAA separately caps any fee at a reasonable, cost-based charge for the labor of copying and the postage — whichever protects you more applies.
Is this records-request letter free?: Yes. The generator builds a HIPAA records-request letter you can download and print for free. Nothing you type is saved or sent to anyone but you.

Records rules in another state?

What we will never do with your records

This generator runs without an account, and KeptWell itself makes the same promises to every family, regardless of plan or price.

We won't sell your data.: Not to advertisers, not to data brokers, not to insurers, not to pharma, not to anyone, in any form, ever.
We won't train AI models on your records.: Anthropic (whose Claude model powers KeptWell) is contractually prohibited from training on anything we send them, under a signed Business Associate Agreement.
We won't lock you in.: You can export everything in your circle as a ZIP at any time. Cancellation is one click.

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