§ 23-1-48. Reimbursement for medical record copies.
(a) The director shall promulgate rules and regulations that establish reasonable charges for expenses incurred in responding to requests for copies of medical records by physicians pursuant to § 5-37-22(c) and (d), and by any healthcare provider as defined in § 5-37.3-3 (“healthcare provider”). The director may utilize data provided by the Rhode Island health information management association or other similar local professional organization in his or her determination as to the amount of the charges permitted by this section.
(b) A patient or a patient’s authorized representative, as defined in § 5-37.3-3 (“patient” or “authorized representative”), or a third-party requestor, also as defined in § 5-37.3-3 (“third-party requestor”), shall have the right to request a patient’s medical records.
(c) If the healthcare provider utilizes patient’s medical records, an electronic health records system, or database:
(1) Any patient or any patient’s authorized representative or any third-party requestor shall have a right to obtain from any healthcare provider a copy of the patient’s records in an electronic format;
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the charges for responding to requests for copies of medical records in electronic format shall not exceed a fee for clerical services, research, and handling of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), inclusive of shipping costs and the costs of data retrieval and/or the data storage device used to transport the medical records. Provided, however, that fifty cents ($.50) per page for the first one hundred (100) pages and twenty-five cents ($.25) per page for all pages thereafter may be charged. In no event shall the charge for pages exceed one hundred dollars ($100).
(d) If the healthcare provider does not utilize an electronic health records system or database, the charges for responding to requests for copies of medical records shall not exceed a fee for clerical services, research, and handling of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), inclusive of retrieval costs, plus actual shipping costs; provided, however, that fifty cents ($.50) per page for the first one hundred (100) pages and twenty-five cents ($.25) per page for all pages thereafter may be charged. In addition, the requestor shall pay for the actual shipping costs incurred.
(e) Copies of X-rays or films not reproducible by photocopy shall be provided at the healthcare provider’s actual cost for materials and supplies. In addition, the requestor shall pay reasonable fees for clerical services, research, and handling, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00), plus actual shipping costs incurred.
(f) A special handling fee of ten dollars ($10.00) may be charged if the records must be delivered to the patient or authorized representative or third-party requestor within forty-eight (48) hours of the request.
History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 93, § 2; P.L. 2017, ch. 120, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 140, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-1 - Department of Health
Section 23-1-1. - General functions of department.
Section 23-1-1.1. - Health planning — Findings.
Section 23-1-1.2. - Health planning process.
Section 23-1-1.3. - Transfer of responsibilities.
Section 23-1-2. - Inquiries to local authorities and physicians.
Section 23-1-3. - Maintenance of laboratories.
Section 23-1-4. - Vital records.
Section 23-1-5. - Enforcement of sanitary laws.
Section 23-1-5.1. - Laboratory testing services.
Section 23-1-5.2. - Office of private well water contamination.
Section 23-1-5.3. - Duties of the office of private well water contamination.
Section 23-1-5.4. - Access to information.
Section 23-1-5.5. - Annual report.
Section 23-1-5.7. - Well water purification licensing.
Section 23-1-6. - Shellfish packing houses.
Section 23-1-7. - Industrial hygiene.
Section 23-1-8. - Forensic scientist — Crime detection.
Section 23-1-9. - Annual report to general assembly.
Section 23-1-10 - — 23-1-12. Repealed.
Section 23-1-13. - Appropriations and disbursements.
Section 23-1-14. - Vouchers for disbursements.
Section 23-1-15. - Providing a physician for New Shoreham.
Section 23-1-16. - Receipt and use of funds.
Section 23-1-16.1. - Letters of license verification — Fees.
Section 23-1-17. - Additional general powers.
Section 23-1-18. - Power to provide rules and regulations in specific areas.
Section 23-1-19. - Inspection and examination — Penalty for obstruction.
Section 23-1-20. - Compliance order.
Section 23-1-21. - Immediate compliance order.
Section 23-1-23. - Enforcement of compliance orders.
Section 23-1-24. - Review by supreme court.
Section 23-1-26. - Adoption of regulations — Status of present regulations.
Section 23-1-27. - Exemption from hearing provisions of Administrative Procedures Act.
Section 23-1-28. - Definitions.
Section 23-1-29. - Delegation.
Section 23-1-31. - Approval of construction by director.
Section 23-1-32. - Limitation on civil liability.
Section 23-1-33. - Dr. Charles V. Chapin Health Laboratory.
Section 23-1-34. - Health promotion income.
Section 23-1-36.1. - [Repealed.]
Section 23-1-38. - HIV antibody testing — Sperm collection or donation.
Section 23-1-39. - Tattooing and/or body piercing.
Section 23-1-39.1. - Laser pointing device.
Section 23-1-40. - Misrepresentation on menu of food or food products.
Section 23-1-41. - Rhode Island public health foundation.
Section 23-1-42. - Renewal of licenses, certifications and registration — Date changes.
Section 23-1-42.1. - Wallet license cards for healthcare professionals.
Section 23-1-43. - Minority population health promotion.
Section 23-1-44. - Routine childhood and adult immunization vaccines.
Section 23-1-45. - Immunization account.
Section 23-1-47. - Health care providers — Immunities.
Section 23-1-48. - Reimbursement for medical record copies.
Section 23-1-49. - Registry of persons with head injuries and/or spinal cord injuries.
Section 23-1-50. - Public Records — Exemption — Requirements.
Section 23-1-51. - Severability.
Section 23-1-52. - Adult daycare program licensure.
Section 23-1-53. - Cost of legal fees.
Section 23-1-54. - Fees payable to the department of health.
Section 23-1-57. - Penalties for unlicensed business.
Section 23-1-58. - Penalty for operating without a dealer license.