The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.292, subdivision 6, to revise the cost structure for patients requesting copies of their health records. Under the new provisions, patients will be charged a flat fee of $250 for records that are no older than three years from the date of the request. For requests that include records older than three years, the fee remains at $250, plus an additional charge of $0.40 per page. The bill also introduces a new fee structure for x-rays and other imaging, establishing a base fee of $50, plus $25 per unique study. Additionally, the maximum charges for health records will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index starting in calendar year 2026.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that before retrieving or reproducing health records, providers may require payment of the flat fee unless a refund is issued for any difference if no records are available. It also clarifies that certain requests related to Social Security disability benefits will not incur any charges if specific conditions are met, such as the patient receiving public assistance or being represented by a legal aid program. The bill aims to streamline the process and ensure that patients have access to their health records at a reasonable cost.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 144.292