Patient Records
While you are at SMMC, a confidential record will be kept by your health care team. This record contains your medical history, details of your treatment, and the progress you have made while in the hospital. As a patient of SMMC, you may obtain a copy of your record according to hospital policy. When you are admitted to the hospital, the forms you sign give SMMC permission to release pertinent information to your insurance company, if it is requested.

Generally, your health care information is strictly confidential and will not be released without your prior consent. Southern Maine Medical Center may, however, disclose to another health care provider or health care facility information necessary for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment or care in an emergency situation. If you would like a copy of your records, you can contact the Health Information Management Services Department at 283-7710.

Release of Information
If you would like a copy of your medical record, please print and complete the Authorization to Release Healthcare Information and mail or fax it to the address below.

We cannot accept e-mail requests for copies of medical records. The patient's original signature or authorized representative's original signature is required.

Mail or Fax to:
HIMS Correspondence Office
Southern Maine Medical Center
One Medical Center Drive
Biddeford, ME 04005
Phone: (207) 294-5700
Fax: (207) 294-5739

Important
Please include your name, address, and phone number in case we need to contact you.

Birth Certificates
Birth certificates can be obtained from the City Clerk's office at Biddeford City Hall.
The City Clerk can be reached by phone at (207) 284-9307.

About Your Privacy and Confidentiality
Your medical record is private and confidential. Southern Maine Medical Center will safeguard your record and any related computerized information and only allow others to access it when you give us the authority to do so.

The hospital and its medical staff hold in confidence all information about you, including medical, social, family, and financial matters. The only exception is when the hospital is permitted or required by law to report information (such as infectious diseases) to the State.

If you need more information, you may call the Health Information and Management Services Department (HIMS) at (207) 283-7710 during business hours, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

When you were a patient in the hospital and signed the "release of information" section of the hospital's Patient Consent Form, you gave Southern Maine Medical Center the authority to release information to other healthcare organizations, facilities, or individuals who provided care for you after you left the hospital. It also authorized Southern Maine Medical Center to provide specific information in your medical record to your insurance company or to other parties paying for your care (including your employer). You may cancel this authorization at any time by contacting the Manager of HIMS at (207) 294-5714.