How much may a physician charge a patient for copies of medical records?
Maryland law (Health General Sec. 4-304) allows physicians to charge patients (or the patient's "personal representative") a fee for copying medical records. The charges may be adjusted annually for inflation. The updated maximum rates effective July 1, 2011 are:
- A fee for copying not to exceed .76 cents for each page of the medical record, and
- The actual cost of postage and handling.
- Preparation fee of $22.88, if the records are sent to another provider. The federal HIPAA regulations do not allow a charge for a preparation fee for records provided directly to the patient.
A provider may not refuse to provide the records because of unpaid fees for medical services.
Revised
