What are appropriate charges for the transfer of mammography records and can the facility charge the cost of making copies of the films to the patient?
Appropriate charges for transfer of mammography records could include: 1) administrative costs incurred in logging in the request, 2) retrieving the appropriate films and reports, 3) having the patient sign a release (if not already done), 4) packaging and mailing charges for the materials, 5) and photocopying costs incurred in making copies of report. Facilities may, but are not required to, make copies of the mammography films. If these copies are requested by the patient or are mandated by State regulations, then the cost of making the copies can be charged to the patient. If the facility wishes to keep copies for its own benefit, the cost cannot be charged to the patient. Facilities must be able to produce, if requested by the patient, documentation (an itemized bill, for example) that the charges do not exceed the costs associated with this service.
Related Questions
- What are appropriate charges for the transfer of mammography records and can the facility charge the cost of making copies of the films to the patient?
- May the agency recover the cost of mailing or faxing copies of public records?
- What are the charges for the remittance transfer and who bears the cost?
