Changing Doctors With Medicare: Switching and Moving Your Records
With Original Medicare, you can switch to any doctor who takes Medicare, without telling Medicare. With a Medicare Advantage plan, the new doctor may need to be in network, and HMOs usually have you choose a primary care doctor, so call your plan. You have a right under HIPAA to get copies of your records, and to ask for them to be sent to the new office.
Switching Doctors
| Coverage | What to do |
|---|---|
| Original Medicare | Medicare.gov says you can use any doctor who takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S. Check that the new office is taking new Medicare patients. |
| Medicare Advantage HMO | In most HMOs you need to choose a primary care doctor, and care generally comes from the plan's network. Call your plan to change doctors. |
| Other plans | Check the new doctor in your plan's directory, and call the number on your card. |
If your doctor leaves your plan, Medicare.gov says the plan will tell you, and you may choose another doctor in the plan. To find one, see how to check for new patients.
This guide explains how to find and check care. It can't tell you which doctor or treatment is right for you. Your doctor or plan can.
Getting Your Records
HHS says HIPAA gives you, with few exceptions, the right to see and get a copy of your medical and billing records from your doctors and health plans. Only you or your personal representative has that right.
- Ask your old doctor's office how to request your records.
- Ask for the format you want. HHS says that in most cases you can get a copy the way you want it, such as by email.
- Check the office's patient portal, if it has one. You may be able to view and download records there.
- Ask for the records to be sent straight to your new doctor. HHS says you can ask your doctor to share your information directly with others.
- Ask the new office what it needs before your first visit. See what to bring to a first visit.
Fees, Timing and Corrections
- Timing. HHS says a doctor normally has up to 30 days to give you a copy, and can often do it sooner.
- Fees. A provider may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing, but not for searching for or retrieving your records. HHS says the fee may not be per page if the records are stored electronically.
- Unpaid bills. A provider can't refuse to give you a copy because you owe for care.
- Exceptions. You don't have a right to a mental health professional's separate psychotherapy notes.
- Mistakes. You can ask for a correction. If the provider disagrees, you can have a statement of disagreement added to your record.
HHS notes that a 2020 court order (Ciox Health v. Azar) limits part of its guidance, mainly on fees for copies sent to third parties. If you think your rights under HIPAA were violated, you can file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights.
Common Questions
Do I need to tell Medicare I changed doctors?
Not with Original Medicare. With a plan, call the plan, since some ask you to choose a primary care doctor.
Can a family member get my records for me?
HHS says only you or your personal representative has the right of access. You can ask the office to send your records to someone you name.