A summary letter of your condition and treatment can be written by your physician or specialist and provided to you upon your request.
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- You can ask for a summary of your health conditions. This might be for insurance purposes or to have in your own records. There is usually a cost to getting a summary letter.
- If you want a summary letter, it is recommended to have your health care provider “explain the information to you”. physicians and health care professionals are concerned about giving access to their medical health record (MHR), reports, or letters. The reasoning is that the medical terms can be hard to understand and it may include third party information.
- You or anyone you have authorized to act on your behalf can request, in writing, access to your medical health record. The health records are owned by your physician, specialist, or the health authority or institution that provides your care.
- If you want a copy of something in your medical health record (MHR), complete an “Authorization for the Release of Health Records” form and submit it in person, by fax, or by mail to the Health Record Department at the location where you received care.
- Learn more about how to access your medical records from Fraser Health Authority.
- You might also be able to see a copy of a physician or specialist letter through your Health Gateway BC account.
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- Learn about your rights to privacy and confidentiality from Healthlink BC.
- Understand that your private health information is protected by policies laid out by the Ministry of Health.
- Learn about privacy laws and your personal health information from Aide Canada.
- Access the full text of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) for BC.
- Know that your medical health record (MHR) and your electronic health record (EHR) are owned by health care professional or agency that created it. To access your personal health information, you’ll need written permission. Learn more at Healthlink BC.
Learn how to collect and organize your health information and recording it in your Health Profile in My Health Information. Collect handouts and print or scan it into your Mywell Health digital and print files.