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SF1881 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Health records cost provisions modifications

Related bill: HF2070

AI Generated Summary

This bill, S.F. No. 1881, proposes changes to Minnesota law regarding the cost of obtaining personal health records. It modifies Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.292, subdivision 6, and introduces new fee structures for copies of medical records.

Key Provisions:

  • Prohibition of Fees for Reviewing Records:

    • A provider cannot charge a patient for copies of their health records if the request is solely for reviewing current medical care.

  • New Fee Structure for Medical Records Requests:

    • Paper Copies:
    • $1 per page plus a $10 retrieval fee.
    • Electronic Copies:
    • A flat fee of $20 for retrieving records.
    • Requests for Records (Health Records Excluding X-rays):
    • Up to 3 years old: $250 flat fee.
    • Older than 3 years: $250 plus $0.40 per additional page.
    • X-ray and Imaging Copies:
    • $30 retrieval and reproduction fee, plus $50 base fee and $25 per unique study.

  • Maximum Fees for Paper Copies:

    • $10 if no records are found.
    • $30 for up to 25 pages.
    • $50 for up to 100 pages.
    • $50 plus $0.20 per additional page for requests over 100 pages.
    • Maximum cap: $500 ($1,500 in some cases).

  • Payment Requirements:

    • Providers may require prepayment of flat fees, with refunds issued if no records are found.

  • Annual Adjustment of Fees:

    • Rates may be adjusted yearly based on the Consumer Price Index.

  • Exemptions for Certain Requests:

    • No retrieval or per-page fees for records requested to appeal Social Security disability income (SSDI) or disability benefits (SSI).
    • No fees for patients receiving public assistance or represented by civil legal aid or volunteer attorneys for indigent clients.
    • Patients can receive up to two free updates of medical records for continued appeals.

This bill aims to regulate and standardize medical record fees in Minnesota while ensuring affordability for individuals involved in Social Security disability appeals or experiencing financial hardship. The fee caps and exemptions provide cost relief for specific groups while ensuring that healthcare providers can charge reasonable amounts for record retrieval.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 26, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionReferred toHealth and Human Services
February 26, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toHealth and Human Services

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies maximum charges for different types of record requests including paper, electronic, and imaging.",
        "Specifies conditions where no fee is permitted, especially for Social Security claims."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the cost provisions related to access to health records under Minnesota Statutes section 144.292, subdivision 6.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts fee structures for retrieving and providing copies of patient records.",
        "Introduces annual adjustment of fees based on Consumer Price Index changes.",
        "Eliminates retrieval fees in specific instances related to Social Security appeals."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144.292",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  }
]

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