How do I fix an error in my medical record?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Use the HIPAA amendment right: write to the holder identifying the entry, why it is wrong, and the correction - they must respond within 60 days, and even a denial earns your written statement of disagreement a permanent place attached to the disputed entry. Worth chasing: factual errors (wrong medication, allergy, dates, family history - clinically important, usually fixed without argument) and copy-paste artifacts from cloned chart text. The companions: ask for corrections to reach everyone who got the wrong version, and denials that look wrong go to HHS as complaints.
What to do
- Put the amendment in writing. Identify the entry, the error, the fix.
- Watch the 60-day clock. One 30-day extension is their maximum.
- File the disagreement if denied. It attaches permanently to the entry.
- Push corrections to prior recipients. Your right, and it matters for referrals.
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