How to Transfer Medical Records When Moving to Tucson

You've finished moving to Tucson, you've found your pretty new desert abode, and everything is great until... You need to visit the doctor. You quickly realize: I have yet to transfer my medical records. Medical records are extremely important in keeping track of your health and giving a physician the most informed view of your body's history possible. Before running into this common problem, read over this handy guide written by experts at All My Sons Moving & Storage, your favorite Tucson moving company.

Background: HIPPA

HIPPA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, passed by Congress in 1996. There are many pieces of information in HIPPA that we won't cover, but here's what you need to know:

HIPPA mandates industry-wide standards for how healthcare information is handled.

• Procedures for keeping this information (your information!) private and secure are required of healthcare providers.

• HIPPA confidentiality protections include all forms of information: paper, oral, electronic, etc.1

• These are important to know when figuring out how to transfer medical records in order to move your information safely and securely.

Find a Doctor in Tucson

When you move, find a doctor in Tucson. After finding an appropriate healthcare provider that fits your individual needs, gather all of the necessary contact information. Ask the appropriate contact how they receive patient records. Find a doctor in Tucson that makes you feel safe and secure - if you only trust paper records and do not want to provide digital copies, make sure that the provider accepts paper format. If you only trust electronic records, find a healthcare provider that takes digital copies. It will be easier to do this before moving to Tucson, as there may be a wait period after requesting your records from your previous provider.

How to Request Medical Records

You will want to decide what medical records you want to transfer. Ask your new doctor in Tucson what information they would like to have. If you have yet to find a doctor before moving to Tucson, you should request copies of all of your medical records. Once you have decided what information you want, it is time to request medical records from your provider. To do this, you will need to submit a medical records transfer form, as providers need written authorization to release your records. This request should include specific records that you want released. When you request medical records, you can also ask for the documents to be sent directly to your new doctor in Tucson if you do not want to hold onto them personally.

Things to Note When You Request Medical Records:

• There may be fees involved in the request process, such as for copying the records onto a CD or mailing out the information.

• A wait period is likely, so the earlier the request is made, the better. Providers have up to 30 days to complete your request.

• Make sure you get a receipt and follow up with your provider.

Store Medical Records

Because you need to keep your personal information safe and secure, it is best to use a trustworthy company when moving. Our Tucson long distance movers are here to ensure the highest level of confidentiality for your well-being. They know how to properly store medical records and transport them with the utmost care and respect.

If you want to move your records on your own, be sure to stock up on proper packing supplies in Tucson to ensure the safe transfer of your personal information. Our packing geniuses have plenty of tips on how to properly store medical records before, during, and after moving to Tucson.

Additional Resources

Now that you know how to transfer medical records, you can find more tips and tricks on moving, packing, and life in Tucson on our Tucson articles page from our full-service movers.

Sources:

[1] DHCS - HIPPA