Timely and accurate medical record maintenance is more important than ever. Medical records are the lifeblood of the practice when it comes time for a billing or compliance audit, or a malpractice action. First, Rick will review general information with regard to medical record documentation and retention requirements; more specifically, discussing documentation issues, what exactly should be retained in the medical record, how long medical records should be retained, and the real questions about medical records received from other providers. Next, Rick will discuss the interrelationship between medical record maintenance and HIPAA, specifically discussing when records “must” be disclosed or “may” be disclosed (including responses to subpoenas) and whether fees can be charged for the process. Finally, Rick will discuss the pros and cons of medical record destruction.