Bottom line up front: Medical records don't automatically transfer between countries' systems — format differences, language, and lack of shared infrastructure mean you need to actively manage this yourself.
What to actively manage
- Bringing your existing records with you — imaging, prior test results, and relevant history in a portable format (digital copies, USB, or printed)
- Requesting records in a usable format from your international provider — ideally in English or your language, and in a format your domestic physician can actually use
- Confirming how records will transfer back to your domestic physician — email, patient portal, or physical copies
Why this doesn't happen automatically
Unlike switching providers within one country's connected health system, international records transfer generally requires deliberate action on your part — treat this as a specific task, not an assumption.
See colombiamedical.co for how Colombia-based providers typically handle records for international patients.
The Takeaway
Actively request and manage your own records transfer in both directions — don't assume this happens automatically between two separate national systems.