64B8-10.003: Costs of Reproducing Medical Records
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendments are intended to address the costs associated with the reproduction of medical records.
SUMMARY: For patients and other governmental entities, the costs of reproducing medical records shall remain the same as they have been since 1988. For other entities, the cost of reproducing medical records shall be increased to $1.00 per page.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: A Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost has been prepared and is available by contacting: Larry McPherson, Jr., Executive Director, at the address listed below.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 456.057(18), 458.309 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.057(18) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Larry McPherson, Jr., Executive Director, Board of Medicine/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C03, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
64B8-10.003 Costs of Reproducing Medical Records.
Recognizing that patient access to medical records is important and necessary to assure continuity of patient care, the Board of Medicine urges physicians to provide their patients a copy of their medical records, upon request, without cost, especially when the patient is economically disadvantaged. The Board, however, also recognizes that the cost of reproducing voluminous medical records may be financially burdensome to some practitioners. Therefore, the following rule sets forth the permitted costs for the reproduction of medical records.
(1) Any person licensed pursuant to Chapter 458, F.S., required to release copies of patient medical records may condition such release upon payment by the requesting party of the reasonable costs of reproducing the records.
(2) For patients and governmental entities, the reasonable Reasonable costs of reproducing copies of written or typed documents or reports shall not be more than the following:
(a) For the first 25 pages, the cost shall be $ 1.00 per page.
(b) For each page in excess of 25 pages, the cost shall be 25 cents.
(3) For other entities, the reasonable costs of reproducing copies of written or typed documents or reports shall not be more than $1.00 per page.
(4)(3) Reasonable costs of reproducing x-rays, and such other special kinds of records shall be the actual costs. The phrase "actual costs" means the cost of the material and supplies used to duplicate the record, as well as the labor costs and overhead costs associated with such duplication.
Specific Authority 456.057(18), 458.309 FS. Law Implemented 456.057(18) 456.061, 456.058, 458.331(1) FS. History–New 11-17-87, Amended 5-12-88, Formerly 21M-26.003, 61F6-26.003, 59R-10.003, Amended________.