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HIPAA has nothing to do with how long you have to keep medical records.
Many people would keep a deceased person's records for at least 10 years. Many people keep these records for longer than that.
In California, a doctor has the right to keep records forever if they choose. However, legally they only have to keep them for 25 years after the patients last visit.
Medical records are kept for ever no matter what happens to the patients since is a legal document.
Medical records are kept for ever no matter what happens to the patients since is a legal document.
How long should a medical record be retained
You should keep the records for a minimum of 5 years.
10 YEARS
10 years
7 years
for 5 years
It's certainly easier to keep medical records on-site for active patients. There are no regulations, however, about where medical records must be kept as long as they are secure.