State medical records law
Tennessee medical records laws
How do I get my medical records in Tennessee, and what can a provider charge?
Tennessee health care providers must give you a copy within 10 working days of your written request (§ 63-2-101); hospitals must release records without unreasonable delay (§ 68-11-304). Under § 63-2-102 (amended effective July 1, 2024), fees for a patient's own records are governed by HIPAA and HITECH and may not exceed the cost of labor, supplies and postage. For other requesters the statute allows $25 for paper copies of 5 pages or less plus $0.50 per page after, or for electronic copies $25 for 10 pages or less plus $0.25 per page up to $90, plus $20 for certification; providers may require payment before releasing copies.
- Response deadline
- 10 business days
- Copy fees
- State fee schedule
- Retention
- No state rule found
How Tennessee differs from federal HIPAA
- A summary does not satisfy the patient's right to the full record.
- Missing the deadline triggers notice to the licensing board and possible fines.
- Patient's own copy fees follow HIPAA's cost-based limit; the dollar schedule applies to other requesters.
How long a provider has to respond
Tennessee health care providers must give you a copy within 10 working days of your written request (§ 63-2-101); hospitals must release records without unreasonable delay (§ 68-11-304).(Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-304)
What a provider can charge
Under § 63-2-102 (amended effective July 1, 2024), fees for a patient's own records are governed by HIPAA and HITECH and may not exceed the cost of labor, supplies and postage. For other requesters the statute allows $25 for paper copies of 5 pages or less plus $0.50 per page after, or for electronic copies $25 for 10 pages or less plus $0.25 per page up to $90, plus $20 for certification; providers may require payment before releasing copies.(Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-2-102 (as amended by Pub. Ch. 737, eff. July 1, 2024), 2024 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 737 (HB 647 / SB 1313), 45 CFR 164.524)
- Paper copies
- Your own records: HIPAA cost-based (labor, supplies, postage). Other requesters: paper $25 for up to 5 pages + $0.50/page after; electronic $25 for up to 10 pages + $0.25/page, max $90
- Electronic copies
- Electronic copy must be provided on request if records are kept electronically. Patient's own: HIPAA cost-based. Others: up to $25 for 10 pages or less, $0.25/page after, $90 maximum; imaging $25 per CD/DVD/USB or $15 by email/portal.
- When copies are free
- No fee for records requested by the Department of Health during a complaint, inspection or survey.
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.
Minors and sensitive records
- other: Hospitals furnish records 'unless restricted by state or federal law or regulation,' and confidentiality privileges conferred by other laws are preserved (§ 68-11-304).(Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-304)
If a provider doesn't comply
Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Investigations (health professional boards)
physicians and other licensed health professionals · (800) 852-2187
Tennessee Health Facilities Commission
hospitals and other licensed health care facilities
HIPAA violations by any covered entity, within 180 days
How to request your records in Tennessee
- 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 10 business 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 Tennessee hospital's records office, or browse hospitals in Tennessee.
Common questions about Tennessee medical records
How long does a Tennessee provider have to give me my records?
Health care providers must give you a copy within 10 working days of receiving your written request. Hospitals must release records without unreasonable delay.(Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-304)
How much can I be charged for my own records in Tennessee?
For your own records, Tennessee law applies the HIPAA rule: the fee may not exceed the cost of labor, supplies and postage. The statute's $25-plus-per-page schedule applies to other requesters such as attorneys.(Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-2-102 (as amended by Pub. Ch. 737, eff. July 1, 2024))
Can a provider make me pay before sending my records?
Tennessee law lets a provider require payment of copying costs before the records are furnished, and once paid you are entitled to the records without delay. Under HIPAA, a provider may not deny access because of an unpaid bill for health care services.(Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-2-102 (as amended by Pub. Ch. 737, eff. July 1, 2024), HHS HIPAA FAQ 2065)
Where can I complain if I don't get my records in Tennessee?
Complaints about health professionals go to the Tennessee Department of Health's Office of Investigations (800-852-2187); complaints about facilities go to the Health Facilities Commission; HIPAA complaints go to HHS OCR within 180 days.(Tennessee Department of Health — Filing Complaints Against Health Care Professionals, Tennessee Health Facilities Commission — File a Complaint)
Sources
Checked against official sources on November 3, 2026.
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-2-102 (as amended by Pub. Ch. 737, eff. July 1, 2024) — Costs of reproduction, copying or mailing of records (official text via a public mirror)
- 2024 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 737 (HB 647 / SB 1313) — Chaptered act amending § 63-2-102 (official text via a public mirror)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-304 — Hospital records — patient access and copy charges (official text via a public mirror)
- Tennessee Department of Health — Filing Complaints Against Health Care Professionals — Office of Investigations complaint page
- Tennessee Health Facilities Commission — File a Complaint — Health care facility complaints
- 45 CFR 164.524 — HIPAA right of access
- HHS HIPAA FAQ 2065 — Provider may not deny access for unpaid bills