Obtaining Medical Records

Patients may inspect, obtain copies of, or have copies of their medical records sent to another health care provider.

Methodist Health System Hospitals and Clinics are required under state and federal laws to obtain a complete and properly executed Authorization for Release of Medical Information form before they may provide a copy of a patient’s records to anyone. In the event the patient is unable to execute the authorization, the patient’s legal representative may authorize the release of information.

Requesting a Copy or Inspect Your Medical Records

To obtain medical records from Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Methodist Hospital/Methodist Women's Hospital or Methodist Physicians Clinic, please print and complete the appropriate Authorization for Release of Medical Information for the facility where you received care.

When completing the authorization form:

  • Indicate the dates of treatment for which you are requesting
  • Indicate the type of records needed – use the appropriate check off boxes
  • Be sure to check the appropriate boxes if requesting information regarding:Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Mental Health, HIV/AIDS related information (this information cannot be released without specific authorization)
If the patient is a minor, 17 years or younger in Iowa, or 18 or younger in Nebraska, the authorization must be signed by a parent or his/her legally qualified representative. Proof of legal representation will be required. 

While patients may request their entire record, our experience has shown that information in documents such as the Discharge Summary, Operative Report and History and Physical contain the information that most patients are seeking. For clinic records, usually the last 3 years is sufficient for most requests.

Fees

  • If the medical record is being mailed to you, the summary information, including lab and X-ray reports, will be provided without charge. For additional information such as nurses’ notes, etc. a charge may be applied at the usual rate of 50 cents per page.
  • If the reproduction charges are greater than $100, pre-payment will be required.
  • Records provided for another medical facility or physician office will have fees waived.

Requesting Radiology Images, Telemetry tapes

Your medical records contain reports that interpret radiology images or telemetry tapes. Contact the Imaging Department (Radiology) or Cardiac Center to obtain a copy of the actual images or tapes.

Billing Statement Questions and Requests

The Business Office at Nebraska Methodist Health System maintains billing statement information. Your medical record does not contain your billing statements.     Billing and Insurance Inquiries 

Submitting the Request:

Print and complete the Authorization Form for the facility where you received care. Once the authorization form has been completed and signed, the request can be submitted by mailing or faxing it to the appropriate facility listed below:

Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital
Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Authorization Form
933 East Pierce Street
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503
Attention: Health Information Management Release of Information
Or Fax (712) 396-7773
For more information, call (712) 396-6021

Methodist Hospital
Methodist Hospital/Methodist Women's Hospital Authorization Form
8303 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68114
Attn: Health Information Management
Or Fax (402) 354-8790
For more information, call (402) 354-4658

Methodist Physicians Clinic
Methodist Physicians Clinic Authorization Form
10060 Regency Circle
Omaha NE 68114
Or Fax (402) 354-1350
For more information, call (402) 354-1494.

You can also bring the signed Authorization Form to:
  • Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Health Information Management Department, 933 East Pierce Street, Council Bluffs, IA, ground floor in the E Wing.  Follow the signs to the Cafeteria – the office is directly across the hall. Hours:  Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., except Holidays.
  • Methodist Hospital Health Information Management, 8303 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Methodist Physicians Clinic Health Information Management Department, 10060 Regency Circle, Omaha, NE, first floor.  Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. or the clinic where you received care.

Other Important Information 

Inspecting or Requesting a Copy of Your Medical Records

  • You may only inspect records at the facility location
    To schedule an appointment to inspect your records, call the facility where you received care and schedule an appointment. A photo ID will be required.
  • Processing Time for copies of your records
    Please allow 30 days for your request to be processed. You will be notified when your records are ready.
  • Picking Up Your Requested Medical Records
    If you plan to come to the office to pickup your records, please bring a photo ID.
  • Someone Else is Picking Up Your Requested Medical Records
    If an individual other than the patient is picking up requested medical records, then that individual will need an original signed authorization letter from the patient stating that he or she has permission to pick up the records and a photo ID.