Professional Conduct, Recordkeeping, and Patient Rights
Professional conduct and records
Chiropractors must obtain informed consent, protect confidentiality, and keep records that justify the care and support the billing. Illinois rules require patient records to include identifying information, history, examination findings, diagnosis, treatment plan, informed consent, and progress notes. Records must be retained for at least seven years from the last treatment; for minors, retain longer as required by rule. Patients have rights to privacy, to information about diagnosis and treatment options, and to copies of their records.
Advertising and patient rights
Advertising must be truthful and not misleading. Do not guarantee a cure, use deceptive testimonials, or misrepresent credentials. Patients may refuse treatment, ask questions, and receive a copy of their records. A patient request for records should be handled promptly; do not withhold copies merely because of an unpaid balance unless the rule permits a lien.
Worked example
A patient requests records after moving. The file has intake forms and consent but no treatment notes for the last six visits. The chiropractor must still provide the records that exist and cannot create notes after the fact. The missing notes are a recordkeeping violation and may also support a billing fraud allegation. The patient should be told what is available.
Traps
Keeping records only until the bill is paid. Releasing records without authorization. Using a patient name or photo in advertising without written consent. Treating the seven-year retention period as a maximum rather than a minimum.