How to Request Medical Records in New Mexico (Presbyterian, Lovelace & UNM) — Without Getting Delayed or Ignored

If you’ve ever tried to get your medical records from a hospital in New Mexico, you already know—it’s not always easy.

Patients are often:

• Sent in circles
• Told to use specific forms
• Ignored for weeks
• Or given incomplete records

The truth is: you have strong legal rights under federal law, and hospitals must follow them.

This guide breaks down exactly how to request records from:

• Presbyterian Healthcare Services
• Lovelace Health System
• University of New Mexico Health System

…and what to do when they don’t comply.

Your Legal Rights Under HIPAA (Most People Don’t Know This)

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you have the right to:

• ✔ Request your records using your own written authorization
• ✔ Receive records within 30 days (in most cases)
• ✔ Get records in electronic format if requested
• ✔ Not be forced to use a hospital’s proprietary form

👉 This last point is critical: Hospitals often imply you must use their form—you do NOT.

Step-by-Step: How to Request Your Records the Right Way

Step 1: Use a Strong HIPAA-Compliant Request

Include:

• Full name, DOB
• Dates of treatment
• Specific records requested (be broad if unsure)
• Where to send records
• Signature + date

💡 Pro tip: Ask for:

“Any and all medical records, billing records, imaging, physician notes, incident reports, and electronic metadata.”

Step 2: Submit It the Smart Way

Send your request:

• Via email (fastest)
• Via fax
• Or certified mail (for proof)

Step 3: Track the 30-Day Deadline

• The provider has 30 days
• They can extend once (with explanation)

If they don’t respond, that’s a problem.

Hospital-Specific Tips (What They Don’t Tell You)

Presbyterian Healthcare Services

• Often routes requests through a centralized records department
• May push their internal form
• Turnaround varies depending on the facility

💡 Strategy:

• Email + follow-up at 15 days
• Request electronic delivery only to speed things up

Lovelace Health System

• Known to require detailed requests for complete records
• May separate billing and medical records

💡 Strategy:

• Specifically request billing + itemized statements
• Follow up aggressively if the records are incomplete

University of New Mexico Health System

• Large system = slower response times
• Requests can get delayed between departments

💡 Strategy:

• Be very specific with dates and departments
• Confirm receipt within 3–5 days

Common Delay Tactics (And How to Beat Them)

Hospitals may:

• Say your request is “incomplete”
• Claim you must use their form
• Send partial records
• Ignore follow-ups

How to respond:

“This request complies with HIPAA. A provider may not require use of a specific authorization form.”

What If They Don’t Respond in 30 Days?

You have options:

1. Send a Follow-Up Demand (Reference original request date and HIPAA 30-day requirement)
2. File a Complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights
3. Talk to a Lawyer (Delays and missing records matter, especially in medical malpractice, personal injury, or wrongful death cases)

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Medical records are often the most important evidence in a case. Delays can:

• Impact your ability to file a claim
• Hide critical mistakes
• Slow down treatment decisions

Official Hospital Medical Records Pages (Direct Links)

• Presbyterian Healthcare Services – Medical Records Request
• Lovelace Health System – Health Information Management
• University of New Mexico Health System – Patient Records Access

Download a HIPAA-Compliant Medical Records Request

Before submitting your request, use a properly structured HIPAA authorization. Our simple, legally compliant template ensures you request everything needed from Presbyterian, Lovelace, or UNM.

• ✔ Does NOT require a hospital-specific form
• ✔ Requests complete records (not partial)
• ✔ Helps avoid delays and rejections
• ✔ Designed for faster processing