Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Michigan
request for medical records
if a patient has been turned over to an outside collection agency and still has not paid their balance and now wants copies of their medical records. can we make them pay this balance before releasing the records
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: request for medical records
No but under HIPAA, the covered entity may impose reasonable, cost-based fees. The fee may include only the cost of copying (including supplies and labor) and postage, if the patient requests that the copy be mailed. If the patient has agreed to receive a summary or explanation of his or her protected health information, the covered entity may also charge a fee for preparation of the summary or explanation. The fee may not include costs associated with searching for and retrieving the requested information. See 45 CFR 164.524.
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