Michigan medical records laws

How Michigan differs from federal HIPAA

• Sets annually CPI-adjusted per-page dollar caps; HIPAA requires only a reasonable cost-based fee.
• Requires a full fee waiver for medically indigent patients (one set per provider).

How long a provider has to respond

Michigan providers must respond as promptly as circumstances require but within 30 days (60 days if the record is not kept on-site), and may extend once by up to 30 days with a written statement of reasons.(Medical Records Access Act, 2004 PA 47, MCL 333.26261–333.26271)

What a provider can charge

Michigan sets tiered per-page caps adjusted every year by the Detroit CPI; for 2026 they are $1.60 per page for the first 20 pages, $0.80 for pages 21–50 and $0.32 for pages 51 and up, plus postage. Patients pay no initial fee, medically indigent patients get one free set, and HIPAA-covered providers must also keep patient fees cost-based.(MCL 333.26269, MDHHS, 2026 Medical Records Access Act Fees (signed 2/18/2026), 45 CFR 164.524)

Paper copies

2026: $1.60/page (pages 1–20), $0.80/page (21–50), $0.32/page (51+); no initial fee for patients

no initial fee for patients (the $32.08 initial fee in 2026 applies only to non-patient requesters)

Up to $0.00

Electronic copies

For records in a medium other than paper, the actual cost of preparing a duplicate.

When copies are free

All fees must be waived for a medically indigent individual (one free set per provider); provider may require proof of public assistance.

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 and other health facilities: At least 7 years from the date of service; 15 years for records of services involving vaginal or anal penetration (with listed exclusions) or where the patient filed a sexual-misconduct complaint (services on/after the 2023 amendment)(MCL 333.20175 (am. 2023 PA 62, eff. Oct. 10, 2023))
• Physicians and other licensed health professionals: At least 7 years from the date of service; 15 years for records of services involving vaginal or anal penetration (with listed exclusions)(MCL 333.16213 (am. 2023 PA 62, eff. Oct. 10, 2023))

Minors and sensitive records

• Minors: A parent, guardian or person in loco parentis generally exercises a minor's records rights, but if the minor lawfully obtained care without parental consent or notification, the minor has the exclusive right to those records.(Medical Records Access Act, 2004 PA 47, MCL 333.26261–333.26271, MCL 333.16213 (am. 2023 PA 62, eff. Oct. 10, 2023))
• mental health: The Medical Records Access Act does not cover psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or professional counselors who provide only mental health services; HIPAA access rules still apply to them if they are covered entities.(Medical Records Access Act, 2004 PA 47, MCL 333.26261–333.26271)
• other: A provider may withhold records likely to have an adverse effect on the patient, but must give a clear statement supporting that determination and provide the record to another provider, facility or designated legal counsel.(Medical Records Access Act, 2004 PA 47, MCL 333.26261–333.26271)

If a provider doesn't comply

No private right of action was found in the Medical Records Access Act text reviewed. Licensees and hospitals face administrative fines (up to $10,000) for record-retention violations under the Public Health Code. HIPAA has no private right of action — file with HHS OCR.(Medical Records Access Act, 2004 PA 47, MCL 333.26261–333.26271, MCL 333.16213 (am. 2023 PA 62, eff. Oct. 10, 2023), MCL 333.20175 (am. 2023 PA 62, eff. Oct. 10, 2023))

• Michigan LARA — Bureau of Professional Licensing

  physicians and other licensed health professionals · (517) 241-0205

• Michigan LARA — Bureau of Community and Health Systems

  licensed health facilities

• HHS Office for Civil Rights

  HIPAA violations by any covered entity, within 180 days

How to request your records in Michigan

1. 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).
2. Keep a copy and note the date — the 30 days clock runs from when the provider receives it.
3. 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 Michigan hospital's records office, or browse hospitals in Michigan.

Common questions about Michigan medical records