Can I see what my doctor wrote about me?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Yes: HIPAA's right of access (see and copy your records, 30-day response, reasonable fees) plus the Cures Act rules pushing notes and results into your portal automatically - the chart is yours to read. The how: portal for current notes and results; records department for the full chart - electronic copies of electronic records cost little to nothing. Narrow exceptions: psychotherapy process notes, legal-compiled material, rare endangerment cases - denials must be explained. Reading tip: "patient denies" means you said no; shorthand reads cold but is routine - and ask about anything wrong, because errors can be corrected.
What to do
- Open the portal first. Notes and results now land there automatically.
- Request the full chart in writing. Records department, 30-day clock.
- Expect shorthand. Ask before assuming tone or meaning.
- Flag errors for correction. You have a right to request amendments.
Related questions
- Why can't I see my test results right away?
- What is the Cures Act note rule?
- How do I fix an error in my medical record?
- What is a patient portal and how do I use it?