Patients have the right to request what regarding their health records?

Patients have the right to request active access to their health records, which allows them to view and obtain copies of their health information. This right is established under HIPAA regulations, which aim to give individuals control over their personal health information and foster transparency between healthcare providers and patients.

Active access means that patients can not only see their health records but also request copies for their personal use, to share with other healthcare providers, or for their records. This empowers patients to be more engaged in their health care and makes it easier for them to monitor their own health history.

The other options do not encompass the full scope of rights provided under HIPAA. For instance, "view only" implies restricted access without the ability to obtain copies, which is not consistent with HIPAA’s provision for patient access to their full medical records. Similarly, "retention period" refers to how long a healthcare provider must keep records, rather than the patient's right to access them. "Limited copies" suggests restrictions on the number of copies that can be obtained, which isn’t aligned with HIPAA’s intent to ensure patients have adequate access to their information.