For The Betterment of Public Health Since 1791

Medical Record Retention

According to the AMA Code of Medical Ethics, which NH licensees are required to follow, physicians have an obligation to retain records that may be of value to a patient not only for future medical care but also for employment, insurance, litigation or other reasons. Patients should be notified that a physician is leaving a medical practice. When feasible, the patients of a physician who sells or leaves a medical practice, retires or dies must be afforded the opportunity to claim the records or have them sent to another physician or lawful custodian before the records are discarded. The physician must ensure that all medical records are held to standards of confidentiality.

• AMA policy titled “Records of Physicians upon Retirement or Departure from a Group.”
• AMA policy titled “Sale of a Medical Practice.”
• AMA policy titled “Retention of Medical Records.”