Creating a Compliant Health Care Record Retention Policy

A compliant health care record retention policy is the best way to comply with any eventual demand or request by the government. It should be drafted with potential litigation and government investigations in mind.

It needs to be understood and effectively implemented and maintained by an executive and the IT, claims, operation and other staff.

Your records retention policy should address:

• ESI and document storage;
• major laws and regulations, including time frames that apply to that provider or organization; and
• what a litigation hold or investigation hold and preservation is in clear and understandable terms.

It needs specifically address those items with respect to the stoppage of any auto-delete or routine data or document destruction.

In addition, the policy must state use of personal or employee devices in the workplace.

Finally, your records retention policy should advise all employees and staff of who they can contact with any questions or concerns about the policy.