Medical Records

Provider Type

  • Physicians 
  • Participating Physician Groups (PPG) 
    (does not apply to HSP)
  • Hospitals
  • Ancillary

Participating providers are required to maintain member medical records in a manner that is current, detailed, complete, and organized. In addition, medical records must reflect all aspects of member care, be readily available to health care providers and provide data for statistical and quality-of-care analysis. Health Net and its participating providers must maintain active books, records, documents, and other evidence of accounting procedures and practices for 10 years. An active book, record or document is one related to current, ongoing or in-process activities and referred to on a regular basis to respond to day-to-day operational requirements.

The following retention events must also be considered in reference to the required timeframes in which medical records must be maintained by providers. These retention requirements are based on Health Net's current Corporate Records Retention Schedule:

  • Pediatric medical records must be maintained for seven years after age 21
  • Hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), primary care clinics, and psychology and psychiatric clinics must maintain medical records and exposed X-rays for a minimum of seven years following patient discharge, except for minors
  • Records of minors must be maintained for at least one year after a minor has reached age 18, but in no event for less than seven years

Health Net must ensure maintenance of all records and documentation (including medical records) necessary to verify information and reports required by statute, regulation or contractual obligation for five years from the end of the fiscal year in which Health Net's contract expires or is terminated with a member.

Standards for the administration of medical records by participating providers are established by the Health Net Quality Improvement Committee (HNQIC). The standards form the basis for the evaluation of medical records by Health Net. Medical records for primary care physicians (PCPs) may be selected for evaluation as part of the annual delegation oversight assessment.

Health Net requires participating providers to have a written policy in place that provides for the protection of confidential protected health information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The policy must be kept in hard copy or electronic format and must include a functioning mechanism designed to safeguard medical records and information against loss, destruction, tampering, unauthorized access or use, and verbal discussions about member information to maintain confidentiality.

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