How long is my telehealth data stored, and what happens to it after my consultation?

Your telehealth visit data is not deleted after the consultation. DrHouse stores your visit information in its EHR system and keeps it for as long as applicable law requires.

In practice, that usually means state medical-record retention laws control how long patient records must be kept, while HIPAA adds separate federal documentation-retention duties rather than a single nationwide medical-record retention period.

Quick Answer

• Your visit data becomes part of your permanent medical record
• Stored securely in DrHouse systems after your visit
• Retention is based on state law (not one fixed national rule)
• HIPAA requires data protection and certain documentation retention (6 years)
• Used for follow-ups, prescriptions, and continuity of care
• Not deleted immediately after your consultation 

What Happens After Your Consultation

After your visit, your medical information is securely stored and remains accessible for care and documentation purposes.

This includes:

• Visit notes and diagnoses
• Prescriptions and treatment plans
• Lab referrals and results (if applicable)

You can access parts of your record in the app, and physicians may use your history for future visits to ensure continuity of care.

Your data does not disappear after the visit — it becomes part of your ongoing medical record.

How Long Is Data Stored? (Legal Framework)

There is no single nationwide retention period for medical records in the U.S.

• State laws determine how long records must be kept
• HIPAA does not define a universal retention period for medical records
• However, HIPAA requires certain compliance documentation to be retained for at least 6 years

Retention timelines may also be longer for minors or specific types of care.

Examples of State Retention Requirements

Retention laws vary by state. Here are verified examples:

• California: At least 7 years after the last date of service
• (California Business & Professions Code § 2266)
• New York: At least 6 years
• (New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, 8 NYCRR § 29.2)
• Texas: At least 7 years, or until age 21 for minors (whichever is later)
• (Texas Administrative Code, 22 TAC § 165.1(b))
• Massachusetts: Minimum of 7 years after the last patient encounter
• (243 CMR 2.07)

These examples show why retention periods are not the same for every patient.

How Your Data Is Protected

Your medical data is stored using HIPAA-compliant systems and protected through:

• Encrypted storage and secure infrastructure
• Restricted access to authorized healthcare professionals
• Safeguards designed to protect sensitive health information

Limitations / What to Know

• Retention timelines vary by state and patient circumstances
• Medical records generally cannot be deleted on request if retention is legally required
• HIPAA’s 6-year rule applies to compliance documentation, not all medical records
• Data may be retained longer for audits, legal obligations, or ongoing care
• Additional services (like labs or prescriptions) may have separate record systems and retention policies

Sources

• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS):
• HIPAA does not set a universal medical record retention period
• 45 C.F.R. § 164.530(j)(2): HIPAA documentation retention (6 years)
• California Business & Professions Code § 2266
• New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, 8 NYCRR § 29.2
• Texas Administrative Code, 22 TAC § 165.1(b)
• Massachusetts Regulations, 243 CMR 2.07