The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center (LCHD/CHC) maintains patient medical records in accordance with regulatory standards.  These standards do not require that all patient records be permanently retained.  Depending on the date and type of service, patient records and films may no longer be available for access and reproduction.

Health Information Management (HIM)/Medical Records plays a critical role in maintaining, collecting, and analyzing the medical information that physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers rely on to deliver quality patient care.  Ensuring patient confidentiality is a top concern of LCHD/CHC.  To learn more about this, read our Notice of Privacy Practices in English and Spanish.

Request a Copy of Your Medical Record

To submit your request by mail, fax, email or in person:

• You may download the medical record request form in English or Spanish.  Complete, sign and fax the form to 847-984-5619 or email to Medical Records.
• In Person
  • Bring your request to Medical Records at the location listed above.
  • Bring your request to any of the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center locations which will be routed for you to the location listed above.
• Patient Portal
  • Click here to learn more about the Patient Portal including:
    • Link to the Patient Portal site
    • What you can do via the portal including instructions on how to sign up, request appointments, view medical information and request your records. 
  • Contact Medical Records at the location listed above if you forget your password or need your password reset.

Please note: If you need to obtain a copy of your records at any other LCHD/CHC location - your request will still be processed at Grand Avenue and therefore HIM will need time to process the request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is authorized to sign for the release of information to obtain a copy of the medical record?

• The patient
• The parent or legal guardian
• If the patient is deceased, the next of kin may sign for the patient with identification. A copy of the death certificate along with either court documents stating that they are the executor of the estate or they must complete an authorized relative certification.
• If the patient is unable to sign for their records, the person requesting the records must provide a healthcare power of attorney. A spouse or domestic partner may not request medical records without the patient's consent.
• All requests for behavioral health records require specific authorization and a witness signature. 
• If the patient is under 12 years of age, a parent or legal guardian can sign for the release of medical records. If the patient is between 12 years of age or older, the patient must sign for their own records.

How much does it cost to obtain a copy of my medical record?

• If you are requesting medical records for personal use, there is no fee. Records must be mailed directly to the patient.
•  If you are requesting medical records to be transferred to another healthcare facility, there is no fee. You must provide the full address of the healthcare facility, including the city, state and zip code. 
• If you need a copy of your medical records for your insurance company, attorney, or any other third party or agent, the fee is$26.77 and $1.00 per page for the first 25 pages, $0.67 per page for pages 26-50, and $0.33 per page for pages 51+, plus shipping & handling (if applicable).

When will I receive a copy of my medical record?

The Medical Records office receives a large number of requests, and many of the records requested are very complicated. Your request will be processed within seven business days. If you need your records more urgently, please call the Medical Records Department at (847) 377-8592.

How do I file a complaint regarding the privacy of my health information?

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights. 

To file a complaint with the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, contact the Privacy Officer at the address listed below: 

Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center Privacy Officer
3010 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085 
(847) 377-8592, Option 3 

To file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, contact the Privacy Officer at the address listed below: 

Office of Civil Rights U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 240
Chicago, IL. 60601
(312) 886-2359; (312) 353-5693 (TDD) 
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/what-to-expect/index.html

All complaints must be submitted in writing and addressed to the Privacy Officer. We support your right to protect the privacy of your medical information. We will not retaliate in any way or refuse services if you choose to file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights.