For Patients and Families

Medical Records

The Medical Records Department keeps patient information for both inpatients and outpatients at Boston Children's Hospital. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How we protect the privacy of your health information

Children's is committed to respecting and protecting the rights of our patients and families. The privacy of your child's health information is very important to us, and we make every effort to ensure that it is kept confidential.

Protected Health Information (PHI) is information about your child's health care that may include information that can identify your child or is related to your child's health, the care received here or payment for care. The Children's Hospital Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use or disclose your child's PHI and your rights to access and/or change that information. As described in the notice (download pdf below), you may request copies of your child's health information, or request a list of people or organizations that have received information from us, and you may request how and where we communicate with you.

How to view your protected information at Boston Children's Hospital

Parents, guardians or patients older than 18 years may set up an appointment with Medical Records to come in and review the medical record at Children's by calling 617-355-7546. Please allow 48 hours notice. There is no charge to review the record in the department.

How to authorize the release of or obtain copies of health information

You must submit written permission before we can release your child's health information. To do this, please complete, sign and mail or fax us the following form: Authorization for the Release of Medical Record Information

Charges for copies

There is no charge for copies requested by health care providers or those needed for consultation or continuing care. All other copies requested (for personal records, attorneys, insurers, etc.) are charged according to the number of pages in the record.

You will be pre-billed for the copies as soon as the number of pages is determined. However, you can modify or withdraw your request before the record is copied, and the fee is charged. Copies will be sent out upon receipt of the check or money order.

For more detailed information about charges for health information, please call 617-355-7546.