Louisiana Medical Records Retention Requirements: How Long Providers Must Keep Patient Records

Understanding Louisiana medical record retention statutes is essential to healthcare compliance in Louisiana. This guide distills the patient record retention periods providers must follow, highlights medical record audit requirements, and clarifies special rules for hospitals, pediatric medical records retention, Medicaid medical documentation rules, and more.

General Medical Records Retention

For most office-based providers, Louisiana law sets a clear baseline. Physicians and dentists must retain medical records in their original or reproducible form for a minimum of six years from the date the patient was last treated. This is the core statewide rule for patient record retention periods and should anchor your policy. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=964709))

Some provider types have their own Louisiana Administrative Code standards. For example, licensed home health agencies must keep clinical records for at least six years from record creation and extend that timeframe when an audit or litigation involves the record. Aligning your policy to the longest applicable period supports healthcare compliance Louisiana and reduces audit risk. ([law.cornell.edu](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/louisiana/La-Admin-Code-tit-48-SS-I-9129))

• Key takeaway: if multiple laws/contracts apply, adopt the longest period to satisfy overlapping medical record audit requirements. ([lamedicaid.com](https://www.lamedicaid.com/provweb1/providermanuals/manuals/GIA/GIA_1.1_01-04-24.pdf))

Minor Patients' Records Retention

Louisiana treats pediatric medical records retention more conservatively. The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners advises physicians to retain a minor’s record until the patient turns 21 or for six years from the last treatment—whichever is longer. This practice protects continuity of care and aligns with malpractice limitation considerations. ([a.storyblok.com](https://a.storyblok.com/f/150540/x/243e7e15e2/april-2025-newsletter.pdf))

Note that specific facility types can impose even longer timelines for minors (see outpatient abortion facilities below). Building your policy around the longest pediatric rule you face is prudent. ([regulations.justia.com](https://regulations.justia.com/states/louisiana/title-48/part-i/subpart-3/chapter-44/subchapter-b/section-i-4425/))

Hospital Records Retention

Hospital discharge record regulations require Louisiana hospitals to retain patient medical records for a minimum of 10 years from the date of discharge. This long horizon applies regardless of whether the chart is paper, microfilmed, or similarly reproduced. ([ldh.la.gov](https://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/hss/docs/HSS_Hospital/Regulations/Hospitals_Chapters_93-96_LAC_4.29.24.pdf))

Hospitals must also keep “graphic matter, images, x‑ray films, [and] nuclear medicine reports” for at least three years after discharge—and at least five years if the hospital participates in Medicare or Medicaid. Longer retention is required upon written request from the attending/consulting physician, the patient or legal representative, or involved legal counsel. ([ldh.la.gov](https://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/hss/docs/HSS_Hospital/Regulations/Hospitals_Chapters_93-96_LAC_4.29.24.pdf))

X-Ray Films Retention

Physicians and Dentists

Separate from the hospital rule, physicians and dentists must retain x‑ray films and similar diagnostic images for at least three years from the date the patient was last treated. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=964709))

Hospitals

Hospitals must retain diagnostic images for three years following discharge, or five years for Medicare/Medicaid participating facilities; keep them longer when specifically requested in writing by the patient, an attending/consulting physician, or legal counsel. ([ldh.la.gov](https://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/hss/docs/HSS_Hospital/Regulations/Hospitals_Chapters_93-96_LAC_4.29.24.pdf))

Outpatient Abortion Facilities Retention

Louisiana’s abortion-facility regulations require patient medical records to be retained for not less than seven years from the date of discharge. Records for minors must be kept for a minimum of 10 years after the minor reaches the age of majority. Facilities must keep records on‑site for at least one year and be able to produce off‑site records within 24 hours; a daily patient roster must be retained for three years. ([regulations.justia.com](https://regulations.justia.com/states/louisiana/title-48/part-i/subpart-3/chapter-44/subchapter-b/section-i-4425/))

Medicaid Records Retention

Under Louisiana Medicaid medical documentation rules, providers must maintain all medical, fiscal, professional, and business records for at least five years from the date of service. If an audit is underway, you must retain records until the audit is complete—even if this exceeds five years. This standard is foundational for program integrity and should be reflected in your written policy. ([lamedicaid.com](https://www.lamedicaid.com/provweb1/providermanuals/manuals/GIA/GIA_1.1_01-04-24.pdf))

Program- or contract‑specific guidance can extend retention when litigation or a claim is pending (for example, PACE and managed care materials require holding records until the completion of litigation or resolution of a claim or audit). When in doubt, follow the longest retention period that applies to your practice. ([ldh.la.gov](https://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/PC-PM/04.24.24/PACE_35.7_Recordkeeping_04.24.24.pdf?utm_source=openai))

Immunization Records Retention

Immunization entries are part of the patient’s medical record and, for physicians/dentists, fall under the six‑year general retention rule from the last treatment date. In addition, Louisiana requires all licensed immunization providers to report administered vaccines to the state registry (LINKS) within one week; the registry now maintains adult records as well, strengthening long‑term access to immunization histories. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=964709))

Program‑specific rules can also apply. For example, COVID‑19 Vaccination Program providers must preserve vaccination and vaccine‑management records for at least three years (or longer if required by state law). Incorporate these layered requirements into your policy to ensure end‑to‑end compliance. ([ldh.la.gov](https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-PHCH/Center-PH/immunizations/COVID-19_Provider_Toolkit/Enrollment_Toolkit/1_LA_CDC_COVID-19_Vaccination_Program_Provider_Agreement_01.19.2021.pdf?utm_source=openai))

Summary: To stay compliant across Louisiana medical record retention statutes, pair the statewide baselines (six years for physicians/dentists; 10 years for hospitals; three years for diagnostic images with hospital and program exceptions) with any longer facility, program, or payer obligations—and suspend destruction if audits or litigation are pending. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=964709))

FAQs

What is the minimum retention period for adult medical records in Louisiana?

For physicians and dentists, the minimum is six years from the date the patient was last treated. Other settings can be longer (for example, hospitals must keep records 10 years from discharge). Always adopt the longest period that applies to your practice mix. ([legis.la.gov](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=964709))

How long must hospitals keep patient records after discharge?

Louisiana hospitals must retain patient records for at least 10 years from the date of discharge. Diagnostic images associated with those records must be kept at least three years—and at least five years if the hospital participates in Medicare/Medicaid—with longer retention upon written request by specified parties. ([ldh.la.gov](https://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/hss/docs/HSS_Hospital/Regulations/Hospitals_Chapters_93-96_LAC_4.29.24.pdf))

Are there special retention rules for minor patients' records?

Yes. For physicians, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners advises retaining a minor’s record until the patient turns 21 or six years from last treatment—whichever is longer. Outpatient abortion facilities must keep minors’ records for at least 10 years after the age of majority. ([a.storyblok.com](https://a.storyblok.com/f/150540/x/243e7e15e2/april-2025-newsletter.pdf))

What should providers do if records are involved in litigation?

Immediately issue a litigation hold and suspend routine destruction. For Medicaid matters, records must be retained until the audit is complete; several program manuals likewise require retention until litigation or claim resolution. Extending your hold until final resolution helps prevent spoliation risk. ([lamedicaid.com](https://www.lamedicaid.com/provweb1/providermanuals/manuals/GIA/GIA_1.1_01-04-24.pdf))