Heather Arranie 
Old medical records will provide you with a lot of information in California. You can learn about past conditions, what your health metrics look like, previous conditions, and medications you may have been on. Not only is this information relevant, but sometimes it can save your life.
That said, finding old medical records can be challenging, especially if you don’t have physical copies lying around or access to any online portals. The good news is that we’re here to help. Learn how to find old medical records in California in this article.
Can You Find Old Medical Records in California?
Yes, you can absolutely find old medical records in California. This is because California Health & Safety Code section 123100 allows patients to view their medical records.
With the right tools, this means that you can go online and view your medical records in California. However, you may also be able to view your medical records at the doctor’s office, or you can request that your medical records be sent to you.
Some offices also have patient portals that make it even easier to view your medical records. Ultimately, it depends on the systems that the office has in place, but based on California laws, you have to be given access to these records.
Can You Find Current Medical Records in California?
Yes, like past medical records, you can view your current medical records. Many offices in California have telehealth systems that allow you to contact an office for your current medical records. This means that you shouldn’t have any issues viewing your records, as long as you know which doctor you’re requesting them from.
Many offices also have online portals, so you can check for apps or websites that can help you reveal medical records as well. Ultimately, you have plenty of options.
How to Find Old Medical Records in California
If you want to find old medical records in California, you have three options. We touched on a few briefly, but you’ll find that each option is efficient based on your needs. Learn more about each option below.
1. Connect With Healthcare Providers
The best way to find old medical records in California, especially if you don’t want to go online, is to connect with healthcare providers. If you have a primary care physician, for example, you can contact their office to request old medical records.
You can call them, send them an email, or submit a written request. We recommend calling the office first to determine which method works best for the office.
2. Use Online Patient Portals
Another great method is to use a patient portal. Now, not every medical office uses patient portals, but for the ones that do, this is the most efficient method. Simply create an account, log in, and view your medical records.
You can see current and old medical records all in one place when using these portals. For clarification on what something means, though, please contact the office directly.
3. Request Records from Healthcare Providers
When you want to view records from a trip to the hospital, the process is different. Unlike your primary care physician, hospitals see thousands of patients, so viewing or finding your specific file can be a challenge. For this reason, you’ll need to contact the hospital’s medical records department for more steps. Typically, you’ll need to write a written request to view your records.
Can You Find Someone Else’s Medical Records in California?
No, you can’t find someone else’s medical records in California. These records are protected under HIPAA, which prevents personal records from being available to the public. That said, there are some exceptions. For example, some medical records for veterans may be available to the public, and medical records involved in research may be available.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell if these records are available to the public, so you’re better off looking for all available public records and checking to see if any medical records are included. This can be done with a public records search tool, like UnMask, which helps you find all available public records.
Our Final Thoughts on How to Find Old Medical Records in California
Finding old medical records in California has never been easier. Now that you know how to find old medical records in California, the process is as simple as contacting the office/hospital or checking online patient portals. In fact, you’ll find that this process works for current medical records as well.
