State medical records law
Alaska medical records laws
How do I get my medical records in Alaska, and what can a provider charge?
Alaska physicians must provide copies within 30 days of a written request (a Medical Board rule); for other providers HIPAA's 30 days, with one 30-day extension, applies. Alaska has no state copy-fee schedule for patient requests. HIPAA applies: providers may charge only a reasonable cost-based fee for copying labor, supplies and postage, with no search or retrieval fee.
- Response deadline
- 30 days
- Copy fees
- Reasonable, cost-based (HIPAA)
- Retention — hospitals
- 7 years after discharge; minors until the later of 2 years after age 19 or 7 years after discharge; facility X-ray films at least 5 years after discharge
How Alaska differs from federal HIPAA
- Statute gives patients a right to inspect and copy records 'regardless of' other law (AS 18.23.005).
- Physicians must provide complete copies within 30 days, with no extension written into the Board rule (HIPAA allows one 30-day extension).
- No state fee cap — HIPAA's cost-based fee rule governs.
How long a provider has to respond
Alaska physicians must provide copies within 30 days of a written request (a Medical Board rule); for other providers HIPAA's 30 days, with one 30-day extension, applies.(12 AAC 40.967(10)-(11), 45 CFR § 164.524)
What a provider can charge
Alaska has no state copy-fee schedule for patient requests. HIPAA applies: providers may charge only a reasonable cost-based fee for copying labor, supplies and postage, with no search or retrieval fee.(45 CFR § 164.524)
- Paper copies
- No state per-page cap; HIPAA reasonable cost-based fee
- Electronic copies
- HIPAA cost-based fee (labor, supplies/media, postage)
A provider cannot refuse to give you your records because you owe money for treatment. Compare every state on the medical records fees by state page.
How long records must be kept
- Hospitals: 7 years after discharge; minors until the later of 2 years after age 19 or 7 years after discharge; facility X-ray films at least 5 years after discharge(AS 18.20.085, 7 AAC 12.770)
- Physician offices: At least 7 years from the date of the last entry (State Medical Board unprofessional-conduct rule)(12 AAC 40.967(10)-(11))
Minors and sensitive records
- Minors: Alaska lets a minor consent to their own care if living apart from parents and managing their own finances, if a parent cannot be reached or will not decide, if the minor is a parent, or for pregnancy and venereal disease diagnosis/treatment. Hospital records of minors are kept until at least 2 years after age 19 (or 7 years after discharge, if longer).(AS 18.20.085, AS 25.20.025)
If a provider doesn't comply
No state private right of action for denied record access was found; HIPAA has none — file with HHS OCR. A physician's failure to provide records within 30 days is unprofessional conduct subject to Medical Board discipline.(12 AAC 40.967(10)-(11))
licensed physicians and other licensed professionals · (907) 269-8160 (Anchorage division line)
HIPAA violations by any covered entity, within 180 days
How to request your records in Alaska
- Ask the provider's medical records (health information) department for its request form, or write your own request with your name, date of birth, dates of care, the records you want, and the format (paper or electronic).
- Keep a copy and note the date — the 30 days clock runs from when the provider receives it.
- If the deadline passes or the bill exceeds the rules above, use the complaint routes on this page.
Templates and step-by-step help are on the records-access hub. Find a Alaska hospital's records office, or browse hospitals in Alaska.
Common questions about Alaska medical records
How long does a provider in Alaska have to give me my records?
Alaska Medical Board rules treat a physician's failure to provide complete copies within 30 days of a written request as unprofessional conduct. Other providers follow HIPAA: 30 days, with one 30-day extension if they tell you in writing.(12 AAC 40.967(10)-(11), 45 CFR § 164.524)
How much can I be charged for my records in Alaska?
Alaska does not set a per-page fee. Under HIPAA, providers may charge only a reasonable cost-based fee for copying labor, supplies and postage.(45 CFR § 164.524)
Do I have a legal right to see my records in Alaska?
Yes. Alaska law says a patient is entitled to inspect and copy records a health care provider develops or maintains about the patient's care.(AS 18.23.005)
How long are medical records kept in Alaska?
Hospitals keep records 7 years after discharge; for minors, until at least 2 years after age 19 or 7 years after discharge, whichever is longer. Physicians must keep records at least 7 years from the last entry.(12 AAC 40.967(10)-(11), AS 18.20.085)
Can a minor in Alaska consent to their own care?
In some cases: if living apart from parents and managing their own finances, if a parent cannot be reached or will not decide, if the minor is a parent, or for pregnancy and venereal disease diagnosis or treatment.(AS 25.20.025)
Where do I complain if an Alaska doctor won't release my records?
Use the request-for-contact form on the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing Investigations page, and you can file a HIPAA complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights within 180 days.(Alaska CBPL — Complaint FAQs)
Sources
Checked against official sources on November 3, 2026.
- AS 18.23.005 — Patient access to records (official text via a public mirror)
- 12 AAC 40.967(10)-(11) — State Medical Board — unprofessional conduct (records retention and copies) (official text via a public mirror)
- AS 18.20.085 — Hospital records retention (official text via a public mirror)
- 7 AAC 12.770 — Health facility licensing — medical records (official text via a public mirror)
- AS 25.20.025 — Examination and treatment of minors (official text via a public mirror)
- Alaska CBPL — Complaint FAQs — Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing complaint process
- 45 CFR § 164.524 — HIPAA right of access