Ala. Admin. Code r. 630-X-12-.03
The Board shall deem it unprofessional conduct for a licensee to fail to release information in a patient's record to said patient, provided, however, that no record need be released until all reasonable fees have been paid by said patient to the licensee, and provided further that a reasonable fee may be charged for providing a copy of information to said patient. This rule shall include the release of contact lens prescriptions, sufficient to order replacement lenses, to the patient, provided that a complete contact lens prescription has been determined and evaluated. A reasonable expiration date shall be set forth on all prescriptions. After said expiration date, a licensee shall be required to release said prescription only to a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist of the patient's choice and said prescription shall be clearly marked with the expiration date and the words "EXPIRED. FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY." The Board shall deem it unprofessional conduct for a licensee to fail to maintain, in his or her possession, all records pertaining to a patient for a period of not less than seven years from the date of the last service provided to that patient.
Author: Dr. Larry Carter
Ala. Admin. Code r. 630-X-12-.03
Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-22-23(17).