Art. 1465.1.Requests For Release of Medical Records
Book II. Ordinary Proceedings · Title III. Production of Evidence · Chapter 3. Discovery · Last amended 2016 · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 1465.1 lets a party obtain another party's medical records by requesting a signed release addressed to a specific health care provider, while requiring the requesting party to share a copy of the request and, later, everything it receives.
Full Text of Art. 1465.1
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A. Any party may serve upon the plaintiff or upon any other party whose medical records are relevant to an issue in the case a request that the plaintiff or other authorized person sign a medical records release authorizing the health care provider to release to the requesting party the medical records of the party whose medical condition is at issue. The release shall be directed to a specific health care provider, shall authorize the release of medical records only, and shall state that the release does not authorize verbal communications by the health care provider to the requesting party.
B. The party upon whom the request is served, within thirty days after service of the request, shall provide to the requesting party releases signed by the plaintiff or other authorized person unless the request is objected to, in which event the reasons for the objection shall be stated. The party requesting the release of medical records may move for an order under Article 1469 with respect to any objection or other failure to respond to the request.
C. The party requesting the medical records shall provide to the party whose medical records are being sought or to his attorney, if he is represented by an attorney, a copy of the request directed to the health care provider, which copy shall be provided contemporaneously with the request directed to the health care provider.
D. The party requesting the medical records shall provide to the party whose medical records are being sought or to his attorney, within seven days of receipt, a copy of all documents obtained by the requesting party pursuant to the release.
Rather than serving a subpoena on a hospital or doctor's office, Article 1465.1 offers a more direct route to medical records: a request that the plaintiff, or any other party whose medical condition is at issue, sign a release authorizing a named health care provider to hand the records over to the requesting party. The release has to name a specific provider and is limited to records -- it can't authorize the provider to talk to the requesting party directly.
The party asked to sign has thirty days to provide the release, unless it objects and states its reasons; an unresolved objection sends the requesting party to Article 1469's motion to compel. Two disclosure obligations round out the article: the requesting party has to send the party whose records are sought (or that party's attorney) a copy of the request the moment it goes to the provider, and once records come back, the requesting party has seven days to turn over copies of everything it obtained.
Those two disclosure requirements keep the process from becoming one-sided. The party whose privacy is at stake always knows what was asked for and always sees what came back, even though someone else requested it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an opposing party's medical records in a Louisiana lawsuit?
Serve a request that the party sign a release addressed to a specific health care provider, authorizing that provider to send the records to you.
Can the release let the provider talk to me directly instead of just sending records?
No. The release is limited to the release of medical records and must state that it doesn't authorize verbal communications from the provider.
How long does the other party have to sign and provide the release?
Thirty days after service of the request, unless the party objects and states its reasons.
Do I have to share what I receive from the health care provider?
Yes. You must send the party whose records you sought a copy of the request when it goes to the provider, and a copy of everything you obtain within seven days of receiving it.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure (legis.la.gov). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:medical records releasemedical authorization requestrequest for medical recordsHIPAA release discovery