Quick HIPAA question

[Fataliya]

Is it legal in Arizona, for a hospital to charge a fee for copies of patient records? My mother is designated as a healthcare representative for my Grandmother, and wants copies of her complete patient file. I just want to make sure she's not taken advantage of in any way.

[orangecrush]

http://ihcrp.georgetown.edu/privacy/stateguides/az/az.pdf

[dawniedawn67]

Is it legal in Arizona, for a hospital to charge a fee for copies of patient records? My mother is designated as a healthcare representative for my Grandmother, and wants copies of her complete patient file. I just want to make sure she's not taken advantage of in any way.

 

 

From what I understand, they may charge a fee for copies of a patient record, but HIPAA sets forth what is a "reasonable fee", and organizations may not exceed that amount.

 

Also, they cannot refuse to provide a record if a balance is owed to them.

[Fataliya]

Is it legal in Arizona, for a hospital to charge a fee for copies of patient records? My mother is designated as a healthcare representative for my Grandmother, and wants copies of her complete patient file. I just want to make sure she's not taken advantage of in any way.

 

 

From what I understand, they may charge a fee for copies of a patient record, but HIPAA sets forth what is a "reasonable fee", and organizations may not exceed that amount.

 

Also, they cannot refuse to provide a record if a balance is owed to them.

 

Thanks. I cannot really go into why, but my Mom and Aunt need copies of her records for the last 3 days of her life, and I want to make sure that as long as it's legal, they aren't refused.

[dawniedawn67]

If you think they may take legal action, let the attorney request the record. That way they won't have to pay out of pocket.