Wrong Lab Results? How to Fix Errors & Amend Medical Records
I think my lab results are wrong — how do I get them corrected?
Under HIPAA, submit a written amendment request to the provider or lab specifying the exact error with supporting documentation — they must respond within 60 days. If denied, you can submit a statement of disagreement that must be permanently attached to your record whenever it's disclosed.
Found an error in your blood test results? Learn how to identify wrong values, request HIPAA amendments, and fix mistakes in your medical records.
MedicalRecords.com does not interpret lab results. We help you get them, verify them, correct errors, and use them effectively.
Common Error Types
Lab result errors can occur at multiple points: specimen collection, laboratory processing, data entry, and reporting. Recognizing error patterns helps you know what to dispute and how.
Wrong Patient (Specimen Mislabeling)
Specimens can be mislabeled at the collection site, resulting in results being attributed to the wrong patient. This is a critical error that affects both the patient who received incorrect results and the patient whose results went to someone else. Signs include results that are dramatically inconsistent with your known health status or medical history.
Wrong Units (mg/dL vs. mmol/L)
Some lab values can be reported in different measurement units. For example, glucose is commonly reported as mg/dL in the U.S. but as mmol/L in many other countries. A result reported with incorrect unit designation can appear dramatically abnormal when it's actually normal.
Incorrect Reference Ranges
Reference ranges should be appropriate for your age, sex, and sometimes other factors. Applying adult reference ranges to pediatric patients, or using ranges from one laboratory's methodology for results from a lab using different equipment, can lead to false flagging of normal values as abnormal.
Duplicates or Missing Values
Data entry errors can create duplicate entries for the same test or omit values entirely. Duplicate results may confuse providers reviewing your records. Missing values may look like tests weren't performed when they actually were.
Conflicts with Clinical Notes
Sometimes lab results in your record contradict what's documented in clinical notes. A physician note might reference a normal result while the lab report shows an abnormal value, or vice versa. These discrepancies may indicate transcription errors in either the lab report or the clinical note.
Date and Time Errors
Incorrect collection dates or times can affect how results are interpreted, especially for time-sensitive tests like drug levels or hormone panels. A result attributed to the wrong date may appear out of sequence with your treatment timeline.
What This Means for You
Review your lab results carefully. Compare them to your known health history and prior results. If something seems dramatically inconsistent, it may be an error worth investigating rather than a true change in your condition.
How to Request Amendments Under HIPAA
Under HIPAA (45 CFR 164.526), you have the right to request amendments to your medical records, including lab results. The covered entity (provider or lab) must respond within 60 days, with one 30-day extension permitted.
Step-by-Step Amendment Request Process
- 1Identify the Specific Error
Document exactly what is incorrect, where it appears in your record, and what the correct information should be. Be as specific as possible: date of test, test name, reported value, and what you believe it should say.
- 2Gather Supporting Documentation
Collect evidence supporting your amendment request: prior lab results showing normal trends, results from other labs on the same date, clinical notes that contradict the lab value, or correspondence from another provider.
- 3Submit a Written Request
Send your request to the provider or lab that maintains the record. Include your name, date of birth, contact information, the specific record you want amended, and your reason for the request. Some facilities have specific amendment request forms.
- 4Await Response
The entity must respond within 60 days. They may approve the amendment, deny it (with a written explanation), or request a 30-day extension. If approved, they must make the change and notify parties who received the incorrect information.
- 5If Denied, Submit a Statement of Disagreement
If your amendment is denied, you can submit a written statement of disagreement. This statement must be included with the disputed record whenever it is disclosed. The entity may also include a rebuttal.
Provider Refusal Scenarios (And What to Do)
Healthcare providers may deny amendment requests under certain circumstances permitted by HIPAA. Understanding these scenarios helps you respond appropriately.
"The record is accurate as documented"
The provider believes the lab result is correct. This is the most common denial.
Your response: Submit a statement of disagreement. Provide additional documentation if available. Request that the statement accompany your record in future disclosures.
"We did not create this record"
The provider received the lab result from another entity (e.g., a reference lab) and cannot amend records they did not create.
Your response: Contact the original source of the record (the reference lab) to request the amendment there. If approved, the corrected result should be sent to all recipients.
"The record is not part of our designated record set"
Certain records may not be subject to amendment under HIPAA if they're not used to make decisions about you.
Your response: Request clarification on why the record is excluded. Lab results used for clinical decision-making are generally part of the designated record set.
"You did not provide a reason for the amendment"
HIPAA allows providers to require a reason for amendment requests.
Your response: Resubmit with a clear, documented reason. Explain specifically why the record is inaccurate and provide supporting evidence.
What This Means for You
A denial is not the end of the process. You always have the right to submit a statement of disagreement, and that statement becomes part of your record. For critical errors, consider consulting with a patient advocate or healthcare attorney.
Documentation Strategies for Disputed Results
Even if your amendment request is denied, you can create a clear documentation trail that protects you in future encounters.
Maintain Your Own Records
Keep copies of all lab results, along with notes about any discrepancies you've identified. This personal health record can be shared with new providers to provide context.
Request Repeat Testing
If you believe a result is erroneous, ask your provider to reorder the test. A new result consistent with your expectations supports your case for amendment.
Ask Your Provider to Document Your Concern
Even if the lab result isn't amended, your provider can add a clinical note documenting your concern about the result's accuracy. This note becomes part of your record.
File Your Statement of Disagreement
Under HIPAA, your written statement disputing a record must be included with that record whenever it is disclosed. This ensures future reviewers see your objection.
When Errors Affect Insurance or Legal Matters
Lab result errors can have significant consequences beyond clinical care. Incorrect results may affect:
Insurance Coverage Decisions
Insurers use lab results to approve or deny coverage. An erroneously abnormal result might lead to denial of life insurance or higher premiums. An erroneously normal result might cause denial of treatment coverage for a condition you actually have.
Disability Claims
SSDI and LTD claims rely on objective medical evidence. Incorrect lab results can undermine a claim if they fail to reflect your actual condition, or create confusion when they conflict with other documentation.
Legal Proceedings
In personal injury, workers' compensation, or malpractice cases, lab results serve as evidence. Errors can damage your case if opposing parties cite them, or help your case if you can demonstrate the error.
What This Means for You
For high-stakes situations, pursue amendment aggressively and document everything. Consider consulting with an attorney experienced in medical records issues if an error is affecting a significant insurance or legal matter.
Difference Between Amendment and Addendum
Amendment
An amendment changes or corrects information in the original record. The original entry is typically preserved with a notation that it was amended.
- • Patient-initiated under HIPAA
- • Requires provider approval
- • Provider can deny (with written reason)
- • Corrects factual errors
Addendum
An addendum adds supplementary information to the record without changing the original entry. It clarifies or provides additional context.
- • Provider-initiated
- • Does not require patient request
- • Adds new information
- • Original record unchanged
What This Means for You
If a provider agrees something is unclear or incomplete but won't approve an amendment, ask them to add an addendum clarifying the issue. An addendum may achieve your goal without requiring formal amendment approval.
Related Guides
Lab Results in Your Medical Records
Complete pillar guide to lab results access and use.
How to Request Your Lab Results
Step-by-step guide to obtaining lab records.
Using Lab Results for an Insurance Appeal
Prepare and format labs for successful appeals.
Lab Results for Legal or Disability Use
Documentation requirements for legal proceedings.