Massachusetts personal injury attorneys face unique challenges when retrieving medical records from the state's complex healthcare systems. With major hospital networks like Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel Lahey Health operating across dozens of facilities, tracking down complete patient records often means navigating multiple HIM departments, varying authorization requirements, and processing delays that can stretch cases for months.
Codes Health eliminates these obstacles with AI-powered medical record retrieval that delivers complete records in 10-12 days. Our automated system submits optimized requests, conducts daily follow-ups with Massachusetts providers, and uses AI error-checking to prevent authorization rejections before they happen—so your cases move forward without delays.
The Impact on Case Timelines
Medical record delays can derail even the strongest personal injury cases in Massachusetts.
- Extended case duration — Waiting 45-90 days for records from major Boston hospitals pushes settlement negotiations back months
- Statute of limitations pressure — Massachusetts' 3-year personal injury statute leaves little room for retrieval delays
- Client frustration and churn — Clients lose confidence when their cases stall waiting for documentation
Building Stronger Demand Packages
Complete medical documentation is the foundation of maximum settlement value.
- Full treatment history — Comprehensive records from all providers demonstrate the true extent of injuries
- Higher settlement values — Demand packages with complete documentation consistently yield better outcomes
- Eliminate evidence gaps — Missing records create openings for defense attorneys to minimize claims
Competitive Advantage for California Attorneys
Faster record retrieval translates directly to firm growth and profitability.
- Rapid case evaluation — Quickly determine case viability and estimated value with complete records in hand
- Increased case volume — Handle more cases when records arrive in days instead of months
- Superior client satisfaction — Clients refer more business when their cases progress efficiently
Step-by-Step Process
- Obtain HIPAA Authorization — Have your client sign a HIPAA-compliant authorization form that includes all required elements for Massachusetts providers.
- Identify All Treatment Providers — Compile a complete list of hospitals, physicians, imaging centers, and specialists who treated your client.
- Submit Written Requests — Send authorization forms to each provider via their preferred method (fax, mail, or online portal).
- Follow Up Regularly — Contact HIM departments weekly to check status and prevent requests from falling through the cracks.
- Review for Completeness — Verify all requested records were included and identify any missing treatment dates or providers.
- Organize Chronologically — Arrange records in date order and create summaries for case evaluation and demand packages.
What Your Authorization Must Include
- Patient name and date of birth — Full legal name and DOB for positive identification
- Description of records requested — Specific dates of service and types of records needed
- Authorized recipient — Your firm's name, address, fax, and contact information
- Purpose of disclosure — Legal representation, personal injury claim, or litigation
- Expiration date — Authorization must include a clear expiration. Many Massachusetts providers set shorter defaults (often 90 days to 6 months) unless a different expiration is specified on the form
- Patient signature — Original signature with date; electronic signatures accepted by most MA providers
How Codes Health Automates This
Our AI-powered platform handles every step of the retrieval process for Massachusetts attorneys.
- Submits AI-optimized requests — Authorizations formatted to each provider's specific requirements
- Daily automated follow-ups — Persistent tracking ensures no request is forgotten or delayed
- Missing record detection — AI identifies gaps in treatment history and flags incomplete responses
- Organized delivery with case chronologies — Records arrive organized with AI-generated summaries ready for case evaluation
How Long Does It Take to Get Medical Records in Massachusetts?
Standard Timelines
- HIPAA Requirement: 30 days standard response time, with one 30-day extension permitted if written notice provided
- Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 111 § 70): For most requests, timing is governed by HIPAA’s right-of-access standard (generally 30 days, with one 30-day extension allowed with written notice)
- Typical Reality: 45-90 days from major hospital systems
Common Causes of Delays
- High-volume facilities — Boston's major hospitals process thousands of requests monthly, creating significant backlogs
- Incomplete or rejected authorizations — Missing signatures, unclear dates, or unchecked boxes restart the 30-day clock
- Multi-department requests — Records spanning ED, surgery, imaging, and specialists require coordination across departments
- HIM staffing shortages — Many Massachusetts hospitals operate with reduced health information management staff
How Codes Health Reduces Wait Times
Codes Health delivers complete Massachusetts medical records in 10-12 days—not the typical 45-90 day wait.
- AI error-checking prevents rejections — Our system catches authorization errors before submission, eliminating restart delays
- Daily automated follow-ups — Persistent contact with HIM departments keeps your requests prioritized
- Real-time status tracking — Monitor every request's progress through your dashboard
- Proactive missing record detection — AI identifies gaps in records and automatically requests missing documentation
How Much Does Medical Record Retrieval Cost in Massachusetts?
Typical Fee Structure
- Per-page copying (paper): $0.96/page for pages 1-100; $0.49/page for pages 101+ (hospital rates as of October 2024)
- Base/search fees: $28.69 per request for hospitals; $15.00 for physician offices
- Electronic records: Providers may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies. For electronic copies, some providers use a $6.50 flat fee option, but it is not mandatory and not a universal cap
- Certification fees: Additional charges for court-certified copies under M.G.L. c. 233 § 79G
- Diagnostic imaging: Separate fees for radiology CDs, films, and digital images
Factors Affecting Total Cost
- Number of treatment providers — Each facility charges separate base and per-page fees
- Volume of records per provider — Extended treatment generates hundreds of pages across multiple departments
- Paper vs. electronic format — Electronic delivery significantly reduces per-page costs
- Urgency of request — Rush processing may incur additional expedite fees at some facilities
Codes Health Pricing
Codes Health offers transparent, flat-fee pricing that eliminates surprise costs and simplifies case budgeting.
- No hidden fees for follow-ups — Daily automated follow-ups included at no extra charge
- No extra charges for re-requests — If records are incomplete, we retrieve missing documents at no additional cost
- All-inclusive retrieval and organization — Retrieval, AI-powered chronologies, and case summaries included
How to Retrieve Medical Records from Massachusetts General Hospital
Request Requirements
- Authorization form required — Complete the MGH-specific Medical Records Release form with patient name, DOB, dates of service, and delivery method
- Submission options — Patient Gateway portal (preferred), fax to 617-726-3661, or mail to Release of Information Unit, 121 Innerbelt Road, Somerville, MA 02143
- Special requirements — Deceased patient requests require executor documentation; radiology images handled separately at 617-726-1798
What to Expect
- Processing time: 30 days standard per HIPAA; complex requests may take longer
- Fees: Hospital fee schedule applies—$28.69 base plus per-page charges for paper; $6.50 for electronic
Codes Health Advantage
Codes Health navigates MGH's Mass General Brigham system with AI-optimized requests and daily automated follow-ups that cut retrieval time to 10-12 days.
How to Retrieve Medical Records from Brigham and Women's Hospital
Request Requirements
- Authorization form required — Download the BWH-specific release form from Mass General Brigham or use the system-wide form for multiple facilities
- Submission options — Patient Gateway portal (preferred), fax to 617-726-3661, or mail to Partners Release of Information Unit, 121 Inner Belt Road, Room 240, Somerville, MA 02143
- Special requirements — Include medical record number if known; specify delivery method (secure email, portal, mail, or fax)
What to Expect
- Processing time: Up to 30 days per HIPAA requirements; no walk-in services available
- Fees: Standard Mass General Brigham fee schedule applies for copies
Codes Health Advantage
Our platform integrates with Brigham and Women's submission requirements, ensuring error-free authorizations and persistent follow-up that delivers records in 10-12 days.
How to Retrieve Medical Records from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Request Requirements
- Authorization form required — Complete the BIDMC Authorization to Release Protected Health Information form
- Submission options — Requestor Submission Portal (for attorneys), fax to 866-710-0132, or mail to Medical Records, Rabb Building Basement Room B014, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
- Special requirements — Subpoenas and court orders must be submitted by mail only, not via portal or fax
What to Expect
- Processing time: 30 days standard; contact Sharecare Services at 855-633-9024 for status updates
- Fees: Per-page and base fees apply per Massachusetts hospital fee schedule
Codes Health Advantage
Codes Health's AI ensures BIDMC authorization forms are complete and properly formatted, with automated follow-ups that accelerate delivery to 10-12 days.
How to Retrieve Medical Records from Tufts Medical Center
Request Requirements
- Authorization form required — Complete and sign the Tufts Medicine Authorization for Release of Health Information form
- Submission options — myTuftsMed portal for direct access, third-party upload portal for attorneys, or submit form by mail/fax to Medical Records department
- Special requirements — Specify recipient, records needed, and delivery method; government-issued ID required for in-person pickup
What to Expect
- Processing time: Typically 10 days from receipt of complete authorization
- Fees: Standard copying and processing fees apply
Codes Health Advantage
Our AI-powered system formats requests to Tufts Medical Center's specifications and conducts daily follow-ups, ensuring complete records arrive within our 10-12 day standard.
How to Retrieve Medical Records from Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
Request Requirements
- Authorization form required — Complete the Authorization for Release of Medical Information form with patient details, records needed, and delivery instructions
- Submission options — Patient portal, mail to Medical Records at 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805, fax to 781-744-1164, or in-person at Gordon Building first floor
- Special requirements — Authorization valid for 90 days; diagnostic images require separate request to Radiology at 781-744-3208
What to Expect
- Processing time: Allow at least 2 business days for processing; complex requests may take longer
- Fees: Standard fees apply per HIPAA and Massachusetts regulations
Codes Health Advantage
Codes Health navigates Lahey's Beth Israel Lahey Health network with precision, using AI error-checking and automated daily follow-ups to deliver complete records in 10-12 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get medical records for a personal injury case in Massachusetts?
To obtain medical records for a Massachusetts personal injury case, you need a signed HIPAA authorization from your client and must submit requests to each treatment provider.
- Obtain a signed HIPAA-compliant authorization from your client
- Identify all hospitals, physicians, and specialists who provided treatment
- Submit written requests via each provider's preferred method (portal, fax, or mail)
- Follow up regularly and review records for completeness upon receipt
How long do hospitals in Massachusetts have to release medical records?
Under both HIPAA and Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 111 § 70), hospitals must provide medical records within 30 days of receiving a valid request, with one 30-day extension allowed if written notice is provided. However, the typical reality at major Massachusetts hospital systems is 45-90 days due to high request volumes and staffing limitations.
Can a lawyer request medical records on behalf of a client in Massachusetts?
Yes, Massachusetts attorneys can request medical records on behalf of clients with a properly executed HIPAA authorization. The authorization must include:
- Patient's full legal name and date of birth
- Specific dates of service and records requested
- Attorney/firm name and contact information as authorized recipient
- Clear purpose of disclosure (legal representation)
- Patient signature and authorization expiration date
What is the cost of medical record retrieval in Massachusetts?
Medical record costs in Massachusetts vary by provider and format, with hospitals following state-regulated fee schedules updated annually.
- Per-page copying (paper): $0.96/page for pages 1-100; $0.49/page for pages 101+ (hospital rates as of October 2024)
- Base/search fees: $28.69 per request for hospitals; $15.00 for physician offices
- Electronic records: Providers may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies. For electronic copies, some providers use a $6.50 flat fee option, but it is not mandatory and not a universal cap
- Certification fees: Additional charges for court-certified copies under M.G.L. c. 233 § 79G
- Diagnostic imaging: Separate fees for radiology CDs, films, and digital images
What if a hospital in Massachusetts refuses to release medical records?
If a Massachusetts hospital refuses to release medical records, take these steps:
- Verify your authorization is complete — Check for missing signatures, unclear dates, or unchecked boxes for sensitive records
- Contact the HIM department directly — Speak with a supervisor to identify the specific reason for denial
- File a complaint if needed — Submit complaints to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine or HHS Office for Civil Rights
- Issue a subpoena in litigation — If the case is in suit, serve a subpoena duces tecum for court-ordered production
How does Codes Health speed up medical record retrieval in Massachusetts?
Codes Health accelerates Massachusetts medical record retrieval through AI-powered automation:
- AI error-checking catches authorization mistakes before submission, preventing rejections that restart the clock
- Daily automated follow-ups keep your requests prioritized at every HIM department
- Real-time status tracking lets you monitor every request through your dashboard
- Missing record detection identifies gaps and automatically requests incomplete documentation
- 10-12 day delivery compared to the typical 45-90 days from Massachusetts hospitals
What types of medical records can I retrieve for a Massachusetts personal injury case?
Massachusetts personal injury attorneys can retrieve a comprehensive range of medical documentation:
- Emergency room records — Initial trauma assessment and treatment
- Hospital admission and discharge summaries — Inpatient care documentation
- Operative reports — Surgical procedures and outcomes
- Diagnostic imaging — X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and radiology reports
- Laboratory results — Blood work, toxicology, and pathology reports
- Physician office notes — Primary care and specialist visit documentation
- Physical therapy records — Rehabilitation progress and functional assessments
- Prescription records — Medication history and pharmacy records
- Billing records — Itemized charges supporting economic damages
- Mental health records — Psychiatric and psychological treatment (requires specific authorization)
Do I need a HIPAA authorization to get medical records in Massachusetts?
Yes, a valid HIPAA authorization is required to obtain medical records in Massachusetts unless you have a court order or subpoena. The authorization must contain these required elements:
- Patient identification — Full legal name, date of birth, and address
- Specific description — Records requested and dates of service
- Recipient designation — Name and contact information of authorized recipient
- Purpose statement — Reason for disclosure (e.g., legal representation)
- Signature and expiration — Patient's original signature with clear expiration date
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