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SF1881 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Health records cost provisions modifications

Related bill: HF2070

AI Generated Summary

This bill, Minnesota Senate File No. 1881, proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes 2024, Section 144.292, Subdivision 6, regarding the costs associated with obtaining health records.

Key Provisions:

  1. No Charge for Reviewing Current Medical Care:

    • Patients requesting copies of their medical records for their own review of current medical care must not be charged a fee.

  2. Fee Structure for Copies of Health Records:

    • Paper copies:
      • $1 per page, plus $10 retrieval and copying fee.
    • Electronic copies:
      • Flat fee of $20 for retrieving records.
    • Health records (excluding X-rays & imaging):
      • Flat fee of $250 for records up to three years old.
      • For records older than three years, an additional $0.40 per page is charged.
    • X-rays & imaging records:
      • $50 base fee, plus $25 per unique study.

  3. Caps on Paper Record Charges:

    • Maximum charges for paper records:
      • $20 when no records are available.
      • $30 for records up to 25 pages.
      • $50 for records up to 100 pages.
      • $50 plus $0.20 per page for over 100 pages.
      • $1,500 maximum charge per request.

  4. Prepayment & Refunds:

    • Providers may require prepayment of the flat fee before retrieving records.
    • If no records are found, a refund must be issued for the difference between the prepaid flat fee and the actual cost.

  5. Annual Inflation Adjustment:

    • Maximum charges can be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

  6. Exceptions for Social Security Disability Appeals:

    • No fees, including retrieval fees, when records are requested for appealing a Social Security disability denial under Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act if:
      • The patient receives public assistance.
      • The patient is represented by a civil legal services program or a volunteer attorney due to indigency.
    • Patients must submit proof, such as:
      1. A public assistance statement.
      2. A request for records on legal aid letterhead.
      3. Social Security benefits statement.
    • Patients may receive two free updates to previously provided records for further appeals.

Conclusion:

This bill updates and specifies the allowable fees for obtaining medical records, sets a cap on total charges, introduces free record access for Social Security disability appeals, and provides for annual fee adjustments based on inflation.

Bill text versions

Actions

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

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Introduction of new maximum charge adjustments based on Consumer Price Index."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Eliminates the previous $10 retrieval fee."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends provisions related to the cost of health records under section 144.292.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes in fee schedule for copying records and conditions under which fees are waived, particularly for Social Security appeals."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144.292"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References to conditions under the Social Security Act, specifically titles II and XVI, regarding fee waivers for record requests.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies circumstances under which fees are waived for record requests for Social Security disability appeals."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "Social Security Act"
  }
]

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