Medical Records

• A parent or legal guardian.
• A patient who is age 18 or older: Patients 18 or older must request their information personally (a parent cannot request for the child), unless they are mentally or physically unable to sign. We require documentation for this situation.
• Other healthcare providers: Any healthcare provider can request your child’s medical records from Children’s directly to provide continuing care for your child. Authorization is not required for the release of our medical records to another healthcare provider.

There are three ways that you can obtain a copy of your child’s medical records:

1. Request records with the Online Request Tool

• You may request records via a secure website using an Online Patient Record Request tool. The online tool verifies your identity by asking for a photo of your driver’s license, which can be taken via webcam or smart phone.
• Please note, Chrome, Safari and Firefox are the recommended browsers for this application.
• Most records will be delivered in 7 to 10 business days. Learn more about receiving your records.

2. Request via MYchart (patient portal)

• Copies of your child’s medical records can be accessed electronically through your child’s MYchart patient portal account. MYchart allows you to view and print available immunization records and also request copies of your child’s medical records not available in the patient portal.
• Once a request has been made via the patient portal, a PDF of your child's medical record will be uploaded to your MYchart account within one to two business days at no cost to you.
• You will receive a message through MYchart when a PDF of your child’s medical record has been uploaded. The PDF can be viewed, downloaded and printed.
• View step-by-step instructions on how to request medical records.

3. Request by completing and submitting an authorization form for release of health information.

• Before your child’s medical records can be released, you must complete, date and sign a release of information authorization form. Download Children’s medical release form (en Español): hard copies of this form are also located at Children’s locations.
• The length of time to receive medical records will depend on the complexity of the records. Most records will be delivered in 7 to 10 business days. It may take up to 30 days to receive a copy of your child’s medical records. If you need records sooner or have other questions, call the Release of Information department at 404-785-2431 for more help.
• Important Notes:
• If you have a medical release form from your doctor’s office or agency, it may not be acceptable. Any noncompliant release of information forms will be returned to the requester.
• Patients 18 or older must request their information personally (a parent cannot request for the child), unless they are mentally or physically unable to sign. We require documentation for this situation.
• If your child was referred to Children’s for a lab or radiology test, records with the results will be sent automatically to any ordering or referring physician, and you DO NOT need to fill out an authorization for release.

Submitting your authorization form

Once you’ve completed, dated and signed your authorization form, there are three ways to submit the request for medical records. Choose the submission option that is best for you.

• Email: HISROITeam@choa.org
• Fax: 404-785-9060
• Note: Only patients and healthcare providers may fax the authorization to the Release of Information department. All other requesters should use email or physical mail to submit their form.
• Mail:
  Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
  Health Information Services
  Release of Information Department
  1575 Northeast Expressway NE
  Atlanta, GA 30329
• Note: DO NOT come to this location to pick up medical records. This location does not have medical records onsite for pickup.

The release of information authorization includes a section for ‘release instructions.’ You will indicate your delivery method preference, either mail or fax, on the authorization form or the Online Request Tool.

Records requested through MYChart will be uploaded to MYChart as a PDF.

Cost

If you requested your child’s medical records through the authorization form submitted via email, fax, mail, or through the Online Request Tool, an invoice will be mailed to you after the request has been processed. The cost is based on the number of pages being released and how you’ve requested records be delivered to you.

Fee schedule for patient- and parent-requested medical records

• Electronic records delivered as a paper record: $0.90 labor cost to create and produce the paper version of the electronic record plus $0.05 per page for paper and toner
• Paper records delivered in paper: $0.12 per-page labor, paper and toner fee
• Taxes and postage costs: added as and when applicable
• Records sent directly to another healthcare provider for continuity of care: no fee

The fee for releasing your child’s health records covers the costs of labor, time and resources. The state of Georgia regulates how much an organization may charge per page. Children’s complies with state and federal regulations related to release of medical record information.

Requesting Imaging

Medical images such as X-ray, MRI and CT scans are delivered in the mail on a CD, or you may pick up the CD at Arthur M. Blank Hospital or Scottish Rite Hospital. We cannot electronically send your child’s imaging. To order copies of imaging, you can make the request by submitting a completed authorization form to our fax: 404-785-5760.

Complete and submit an authorization form to release health information.

• Before your child’s radiology images can be released, you must complete, date and sign a release of information authorization form that is compliant with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Download Children’s medical release form (en Español): hard copies of this form are also located at Children’s locations.
• Important notes:
• If you have a medical release form from your doctor’s office or agency, it may not be acceptable. Any noncompliant forms will be returned to the requester.
• Patients 18 or older must request their information personally (a parent cannot request for the child), unless they are mentally or physically unable to sign. We require documentation for this situation.
• If your child was referred to Children’s for a lab or radiology test, records with the results will be sent automatically to any ordering or referring physician, and you DO NOT need to fill out an authorization for release.

Submitting your authorization form

Once you’ve completed, dated and signed your authorization form, fax to:

• Radiology (X-RAY, MRI, CT scan): 404-785-5760

Receiving Radiology Images

We offer two delivery methods for obtaining your child’s radiology images.

• Mail
• Pick-up

The medical authorization includes a section for ‘release instructions.’ You will indicate your delivery method preference on the authorization form.

Once the authorization form is received, mailing the CD typically takes 5 to 7 business days for in-town addresses or 10 to 14 days for out-of-town addresses. If you are picking up your radiology images, we can often accommodate the request within 24 hours.

Cost

There is no cost to you for radiology images.

If you have questions, you can call the main hospital line to reach the radiology department:

• For Arthur M. Blank Hospital or Scottish Rite Hospital, call 404-785-KIDS (5437).
• For Hughes Spalding Hospital, call the radiology department at Grady Health System at 404-616-3933.