Final answer:
Patient records should be kept for at least six years from the date of their creation or the date when they were last in effect, but individual states may have longer retention periods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The length of time patient records should be kept is determined by legal requirements and industry standards. In the United States, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets the standards for the protection of patient information. According to HIPAA, healthcare providers and insurance companies are required to maintain strict confidentiality of patient records and retain them for at least six years from the date of their creation or the date when they were last in effect.
However, it's important to note that individual states may have their own laws and regulations regarding the retention of patient records. For example, some states may require records to be kept for a longer period of time, such as ten years.
Ultimately, healthcare providers should consult with legal experts and reference specific state laws to ensure compliance with record retention requirements.