The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.292, subdivision 6, to revise the cost structure for patients requesting copies of their health records. It establishes a flat fee of $250 for records that are no older than three years from the date of request, and for records older than three years, it adds a charge of $0.40 per page in addition to the flat fee. The bill also introduces a new fee structure for x-rays and other imaging, setting a base fee of $50 plus $25 per unique study. Furthermore, it specifies that providers may require payment of the flat fee before retrieving records and allows for annual adjustments to the maximum charges based on the Consumer Price Index starting in 2026.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that certain requests for records related to Social Security disability benefits will not incur any charges if the patient is receiving public assistance or is represented by a civil legal services program or volunteer attorney due to indigency. It allows patients to receive up to two medical record updates without charge for previously unprovided information. The amendments aim to streamline the process and ensure that patients have access to their health records at a reasonable cost while also protecting vulnerable populations from incurring fees.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 144.292