I am not sure if this info is in this forum about how long hospitals must keep records

[retiredat44]

I am not sure if this info is in this forum about how long hospitals must keep records. I found out by accident, while getting copies many years ago forma regular, outside the VA system hospital in California. I had Kaiser health care for a while after I separated from the USAF. This was many years ago. About 3 years after I quite my health plan with Kaiser, I was in the VA system. I wanted / needed copies of my records from all places with my VA records at the VA. I went to Kaiser and they told me that by law, at that Kaiser, in that state, they could destroy medical records after 7 years if the patient/enrollee quite their services. I have no clue if each state or hospital/clinic has different laws. So, I would say to anyone who has records at any place they would like to get copies from, do it before they are destroyed, find out when they are/will/were, or can be destroyed. It would really hurt to need records and find out you missed the opportunity. I have no clue if this info is in these forums for helping those putting together a claim, or adding new evidence. btw, I got mine before the deadline, from Kaiser. Also, I hand delivered some records (official copies to the VA records section.) I asked them to be added to mine.

[jlrith]

Medical records retention is covered by state laws. 

https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/appa7-1.pdf