Yes - images are your record under HIPAA: ask the radiology department or imaging center that took them; delivery is now usually a secure download link or a disk with a built-in viewer.
Ask for DICOM images (the actual diagnostic data) plus the radiology report. Costs stay low - links often free, disks a few dollars - and the 30-day clock applies though most turn around in days. The habit: collect copies after every significant scan - second opinions and emergency rooms move faster with images in hand, and archives get purged over the years.
What to do
Common questions
Can I get my x-rays and scans on a disk?
Yes - imaging is part of your medical record, and HIPAA's right of access covers it: you can get your x-rays, CTs, MRIs, and ultrasounds. The how: ask the radiology department or imaging center directly (the facility that took the images holds the originals, not your doctor); many now deliver by secure download link, and disks are still standard for transfers to specialists - the disk carries a built-in viewer so any computer opens it. What to ask for: the images themselves (DICOM format - the actual diagnostic data, rather than plain photos of them) plus the radiology report (the written interpretation, which the portal usually has too). The costs and timing: electronic copies of electronic records should be cheap - a few dollars for a disk is typical, download links often free - and the 30-day HIPAA clock applies, though most imaging departments turn these around in days. The practical habit: collect disks or download links after every significant scan - the second opinion, the new specialist, and the emergency room all move faster with images in hand, and facilities purge archives over the years. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you figure out what to request.