Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

Who owns a patient's medical record?

1. The patient

2. Health insurance company

3. The physician

4. The pharmacy

The correct answer is: The patient

The ownership of a patient's medical record is primarily understood as belonging to the patient. While healthcare providers and organizations maintain the physical records and are responsible for their confidentiality and integrity, the information contained within those records is considered the patient's private information. Therefore, the patient retains the rights associated with their medical records, including the right to access and request modifications. In understanding this context, it is crucial to recognize that although healthcare professionals, such as physicians and pharmacies, utilize these records for treatment and service delivery, they do not own the contents or the primary rights associated with the records. Health insurance companies also do not own medical records; rather, they may have access to certain information for billing and reimbursement purposes, but ownership remains with the patient.