Your Own Medical Records

In New Jersey, every person admitted to a licensed general hospital has the right to privacy and confidentiality of all records of their treatment, and to access to those records, including a copy at reasonable cost on request, unless the patient's physician states in writing that access by the patient is not medically advisable.

• §N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.8

The same section gives a hospital patient the right, among others:

• §N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.8

• To complete, current information from the physician on diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, in terms the patient can reasonably be expected to understand.
• To the information needed for informed consent before a procedure, outside an emergency, including the medically significant risks.
• To refuse treatment to the extent the law permits, and to be told the medical consequences.
• To examine and receive an explanation of the bill, whatever the source of payment, and to information on sources of financial assistance.
• To an interpreter, within the hospital's capacity, in a language spoken by 10% or more of the population in its service area.

• §N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.8

The section speaks to patients admitted to a general hospital. Records held by other providers, and the fees and timing for them, are set elsewhere and are not reproduced here. Whether a right was honored is a question for a court and for a licensed New Jersey attorney.

• §N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.8