Getting Your Lab Results

A: You must first obtain and complete a Record Request Form from one of TriCore’s patient locations. Once you have completed the form, we are required to verify your identity and your right to access the requested records.

A: When you present the completed Record Request Form to the TriCore staff, you will be asked to provide photo identification so that they can verify your identity. Acceptable forms of identification include:

• Driver’s License
• State Identification card
• Military ID
• Passport
• US Tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs ID Card

If you are requesting access to records other than your own, TriCore’s Medical Records department will need to review proof of your right to access those records before the records are sent. Acceptable proofs of your right to access the records include:

• Proof of legal guardianship such as court decree
• Birth Certificate of other person naming you as the parent
• Documents proving power of attorney
• Signed authorization from the patient designating the individual or entity authorized to receive the patient’s protected health information and where to send a copy.

Please note, if you are requesting your child’s records and the child is under the age of 18, you the parent may request the records with the proper verification. If the child is 18 years old or older, the child must request their own records.

A: If you are requesting access to records other than your own, TriCore’s Medical Records department will need to review proof of your right to access those records before the records are sent. Acceptable proofs of your right to access the records include:

• Proof of legal guardianship such as court decree
• Birth Certificate of other person naming you as the parent
• Documents proving power of attorney
• Signed authorization from the patient designating the individual or entity authorized to receive the patient’s protected health information and where to send a copy.
• Letters of Testamentary or appointment from a Probate Court

You may send proof of your right to access the records with your Records Request Form OR you may fax it to TriCore’s Medical Records department at 505.765.0208, or send it via email to medicalrecordsteam@tricore.org. TriCore’s Medical Records department will review the documentation and contact you if there are any questions.

Please note, if you are requesting your child’s records and the child is under the age of 18, you the parent may request the records with the proper verification. If the child is 18 years old or older, the child must request their own records.

A: After your identification has been verified by the TriCore staff receiving your Records Request Form, it will be sent to TriCore’s Medical Records department. The Records Request Form will be reviewed and validated and your records will be sent to you using the method you have chosen on the Records Request Form, i.e., US Mail, fax or email. If you choose to have your records emailed, TriCore will use its secure encrypted email server to send them.

Please note that records will only be sent using one method.

A: Regulation requires that TriCore provide patients access to their records within 30 days of a valid request. Generally speaking, it will not take the full 30 days. However, time may be increased for several reasons (i.e., if all of the testing has not yet been completed). Our Medical Records department will fulfill requests in the order they are received.

A: Questions regarding the interpretation of a test result or why a particular test was ordered should be directed to the ordering provider. Your provider is in the best position to explain the results to you.

A: Yes, a new Records Request Form will need to be completed each time records are requested.

A: No. The Records Request Form must be reviewed and processed by TriCore’s Medical Records department before they are released.