Understanding the Problem

If you are treating in North Carolina after a crash and you want your attorney to request your chiropractic records and bills, the key question is: what information and signatures do you need to give your attorney so the office can legally ask each provider for your records and billing statements once your treatment is finished?

Apply the Law

Medical records are private. In practice, providers generally will not release records to a third party (including a law firm) unless the patient signs a written authorization that clearly identifies who can receive the records and what dates of treatment are included. North Carolina law also allows health care providers to charge regulated per-page copy fees for medical records, and those charges can affect how quickly records and bills are produced.

Key Requirements

• Written authorization: You sign a medical records release that allows the provider to send records and billing to your attorney.
• Correct provider information: The request must identify the provider/facility and (ideally) the date range of treatment so the provider can pull the right chart.
• Patient identifiers: Providers commonly require your full name, date of birth, and sometimes the last four digits of your Social Security number or a patient/account number to match the correct file.
• Scope of what is requested: We usually request both (1) treatment records (notes, imaging reports, referrals) and (2) billing (itemized statements showing CPT/diagnosis codes and balances).
• Payment of copy charges: Providers may require payment before releasing records; North Carolina caps certain per-page copy fees.
• Timing tied to treatment status: If you are still treating, we may request “to date” records now and then request a final update after discharge to avoid missing later visits.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-411 (Record copy fee) - Allows providers to charge regulated, per-page fees (and certain minimums) for copying and providing medical records.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-49 (Medical provider liens; itemized statement on request) - Creates a lien right in personal injury recoveries for certain medical charges and requires an itemized statement/records and written lien notice to the attorney within 60 days of the attorney’s request as a condition to a valid lien.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-50 (Duty to retain funds after notice of claims) - Addresses how medical liens can attach to settlement funds and the duty to hold sufficient funds after notice of bona fide medical claims.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because you are receiving chiropractic care and had a short break in treatment due to travel, we would typically request the chiropractic records and billing for the full date range (including before and after the break) so the file is complete. To do that, we need your signed authorization and the provider’s correct name and contact details so the office can locate and release the right records. Since your claim has already been opened using a police report, the medical records and itemized bills are usually the next major proof we gather once treatment is finished (or we may request interim “to date” records and then a final update at discharge).

Process & Timing

1. Who files: Your attorney (or staff under the attorney’s supervision). Where: Directly with each medical provider’s medical records department (for a chiropractor, often the office manager/records custodian). What: A signed medical authorization/release plus a written request for (a) complete records and (b) itemized billing. When: Commonly after you finish treatment, or earlier for “records to date” if needed to keep the claim moving.
2. Provider processing: The provider verifies the authorization, calculates any copy charges allowed by North Carolina law, and then produces records/bills. Timeframes vary widely by provider and whether payment is required before release.
3. Follow-up and final update: If you continue treatment after the first production, we send a second request for the missing date range and any final bill/balance information so the demand package reflects the full course of care.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Incomplete provider list: If you forget an urgent care visit, imaging center, or pharmacy, the claim file can end up missing records and bills that insurers will later ask for.
• Wrong date ranges: Requests that do not cover the full treatment window (especially around a break in care) can lead to “missing pages” and delays.
• Copy fees and prepayment: Providers may charge copy fees under North Carolina law and may not release records until fees are paid, which can slow down negotiations.
• Billing vs. records mismatch: Medical records show what happened; itemized bills show what was charged. Insurers often want both, and a “balance forward” statement alone may not be enough.
• Liens and payoff figures: Even when records are produced, lien/payoff issues can affect settlement distribution. It is important to identify any claimed liens early and confirm final balances before disbursement.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, we usually obtain your medical records and itemized bills by sending each provider a written request with your signed medical authorization and enough identifying information to locate your chart. Providers can charge regulated copy fees, and complete records often require a final “update” request after treatment ends. Next step: sign the medical authorization and provide your full provider list so we can request complete records and billing once you are discharged from care.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you’re dealing with an injury claim and need help gathering medical records, itemized bills, and lien information so your case can move forward on a clear timeline, a personal injury attorney can walk you through what to sign, what to request, and how to avoid delays.

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.