Your Own Medical Records
S.C. Code 44-115-30 and S.C. Code 44-115-80 — a copy on written request, a capped fee, and never held back over an unpaid bill
A patient or legal representative has a right to a copy of the patient's medical record, or to have it sent to another physician, on request with a written authorization. It comes in print, or electronically where it is already stored that way and can be produced without added cost.
Not held back over a bill. Medical records may not be withheld because of an unpaid bill for medical services.
The fee may not exceed sixty-five cents a page for the first thirty pages and fifty cents a page after that, plus a clerical fee of up to $25, with a cap of $150 a request for electronic records and $200 for printed ones, plus postage and tax, adjusted each year for inflation. No search fee is charged to a patient when no record is found.
Free on a referral. Records are provided at no charge when the provider refers the patient to another provider to continue treatment for a specific condition.
Physicians keep records for at least ten years for adults and thirteen for minors from the last treatment. Federal privacy law sets its own access rights. A particular request is a question for the provider or the state health department.
Sources for this section (4)
- S.C. Code 44-115-30 — Patient's right to receive copy of medical record or have it transferred
- S.C. Code 44-115-70 — Records not to be withheld because of unpaid medical bills
- S.C. Code 44-115-80 — Fees physician may charge for search and duplication of records
- S.C. Code 44-115-120 — Length of time records must be kept
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.