Short Answer

Yes. In North Carolina, your attorney can request your medical billing records if you sign a valid HIPAA-compliant authorization that names the provider and the records to be released. Providers typically must respond within about 30 days and may charge allowable copy fees. If a lawsuit is filed, records can also be obtained by subpoena with proper notice.

Understanding the Problem

You want to know if your North Carolina personal injury attorney can get your itemized medical bills directly from the hospital or clinic without you making calls yourself. Here, you already signed medical billing authorizations and your lawyer asked the provider’s billing office for an itemized statement tied to a specific date of treatment. You want to confirm that’s allowed and what rules apply.

Apply the Law

Under North Carolina law and federal privacy rules, a patient (or the patient’s personal representative) can authorize release of medical and billing records to a designated person, including an attorney. The main forum is the provider’s Health Information Management (medical records) or billing department. Federal privacy rules generally require providers to respond within 30 days, and North Carolina law permits reasonable copy fees. In active litigation, attorneys may also use a subpoena under the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.

Key Requirements

• Valid authorization: Signed and dated, identifies you, the provider, what to release (e.g., itemized billing), to whom, and the date range.
• Scope and specificity: The request should clearly state the type of record (itemized bill) and treatment dates.
• Timely response: Providers generally must respond within about 30 days under federal privacy rules; limited extensions may apply with written notice.
• Fees: Providers may charge allowable, reasonable copy fees under North Carolina law; different fee limits can apply depending on who requests and the format.
• Alternatives in litigation: If a case is filed, records can be obtained by subpoena with required notice and time to object.
• Sensitive categories: Certain records (for example, mental health or substance use treatment details) may require extra consent or have added restrictions.

What the Statutes Say

• North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 90-411 (Charges for copies of medical records) - Allows reasonable fees for copies of medical records provided by a health care provider.
• North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 45 (Subpoena) - Sets out how records can be obtained by subpoena in a lawsuit, including notice and compliance rules.
• North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 8-53 (Physician–patient communications) - Addresses confidentiality and when disclosures may be permitted.
• HIPAA Right of Access (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) - Explains the general 30-day response time and permissible cost-based fees for patient-directed requests.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: You signed medical billing authorizations and your attorney asked the provider’s billing department for an itemized statement for a specific treatment date. That satisfies the authorization and scope elements, so the provider can send the itemized bill directly to your attorney. Expect a response within about 30 days, subject to allowable copy fees. If the provider resists or if litigation is underway, your attorney can use a subpoena process to obtain the records with proper notice.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: Your attorney. Where: The health care provider’s Health Information Management (medical records) or billing department in North Carolina. What: A written request with a HIPAA-compliant authorization that specifies the itemized billing statement and the treatment date(s). When: As soon as you sign the authorization; providers generally must respond within about 30 days.
2. The provider processes the request, confirms identity/authority, and calculates allowable copy fees. Timing can vary by hospital or clinic.
3. The provider issues the itemized statement (and any requested ledger or billing records) to your attorney by the method selected (secure portal, mail, or encrypted email). If records are needed during a lawsuit and not provided voluntarily, your attorney may issue a records subpoena under Rule 45 with required notice.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Incomplete authorizations (missing dates, provider name, or signature) cause delays or denials—review the form carefully.
• Some categories (such as certain mental health or substance use treatment information) may require extra, specific consent.
• If a third party—not you—requests records without your authorization, the provider may refuse absent a subpoena or court order.
• Fee disputes are common—ask for electronic copies when possible and clarify whether HIPAA cost-based limits apply to your request.
• In active lawsuits, follow Rule 45 notice and timing rules to avoid objections or quashed subpoenas.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you need itemized medical bills or records for an injury claim, our firm can handle the requests, deadlines, and follow-up with providers. Reach out today at (919) 341-7055 to understand your options and timelines.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.