What does it cost to obtain copies of a record?
The HIPAA rule allows a covered entity to charge for copying and postage. It can also charge for preparing an explanation or summary if you request one. Many health care institutions use record management companies to handle copying requests, and the costs can be as much as $1.00 a page or more. A copy of a record such as an x-ray may cost even more. You may want to limit your request to essential records in order to control costs. You may not know at the beginning which records you need. You should be able to inspect your records without cost to you. • WPF Policy Note:The World Privacy Forum believes that victims of medical identity theft should have the right to obtain a copy of medical records without charge as often as necessary until the problems resulting from identity theft have been resolved. Victims of financial identity theft can obtain a free copy of a credit report. Medical identity theft victims should have free access to the records that they need.
