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HF2070 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Provisions for the cost of health records changed.

Related bill: SF1881

AI Generated Summary

The bill seeks to amend Minnesota Statutes 2024, Section 144.292, Subdivision 6, regarding the cost of obtaining health records. Key provisions include:

  1. No Charge for Reviewing Current Medical Care – Patients requesting a copy of their records solely for reviewing their current medical care will not be charged.

  2. Fee Limits for Record Requests – Providers may charge:

    • Paper Copies: $1 per page plus a $10 retrieval fee.
    • Recent Health Records (within 3 years): A flat fee of $250.
    • Older Health Records (over 3 years): A flat fee of $250 plus $0.40 per page.
    • X-rays and Imaging: A $50 base fee plus $25 per unique imaging study.
    • Electronic Copies: A total retrieval fee of $20.

  3. Maximum Charges for Paper Records:

    • $10 for a statement confirming no records are available.
    • $30 for copies up to 25 pages.
    • $50 for copies up to 100 pages.
    • $50 plus $0.20 per page beyond 100 pages.
    • Maximum charge: $500.

  4. Payment Requirements – Providers may require advance payment of the flat fee but must refund the difference if records are unavailable.

  5. Annual Fee Adjustments – Charges may be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for Minneapolis-St. Paul.

  6. Fee Waivers for Disability Benefit Appeals – No fees will be charged for records requested to appeal a Social Security disability denial when:

    • The patient is receiving public assistance.
    • The patient is represented by legal aid or a pro bono attorney due to indigency.
    • Proof of eligibility must be provided (e.g., a public assistance statement, legal aid letter, or Social Security benefits statement).
    • Patients may receive up to two additional updates of previously unreleased records at no charge.

  7. Exclusions – State government agencies adjudicating Social Security disability claims are excluded from the definition of a patient's authorized representative.

This bill aims to control costs for patients while allowing reasonable fees for healthcare providers to process medical record requests.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 10, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHealth Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New fee structures for retrieving and reproducing paper and electronic health records."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Elimination of retrieval fee for certain records."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the section 144.292 subdivision 6 regarding the cost of health records.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes to annual adjustment of maximum charges based on Consumer Price Index."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144.292",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors