What is a medical record number?

A medical record number is a unique identifier assigned to a patient's medical record by a healthcare facility or provider. It can be used to track a patient's medical history, treatments, and test results across time and different healthcare providers. Medical record numbers are confidential and protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to ensure the privacy and security of patients' medical information. They are typically used for administrative and billing purposes, and patients may be asked to provide their medical record number when scheduling appointments or receiving medical care.