Can a doctor's office charge you to get a copy of your records?

Answer 1

Yes they can. When I got copies of my records before moving to a different company I got charged. Not all offices will charge you, but nowadays, most will. I found the highest charges were from hospitals.

Answer 2

Here in Canada they can indeed charge you for copies of your records. I had the nasty experience of having a doctor leave my family in the lurch. She didn't tell anyone, just left. Our records ended up at some sort of record holding place that went out of business. We now have now records from that time. I was told since then that if I had known the doctor was leaving I could have gotten our records at a cost of $30 Canadian per patient.

Answer 3

Yes they can....it should be the most at 25. They can also charge for forms.
If u r switching docs, that doc can request ur records and get them for free. But if u want the records from that new doc ur still stuck paying for the coping fee.

What a lot pf ppl do not understand...that workers have to make time for coping those thick charts. Certain ppl are hired and they do it on certain days and or certain times. When u request ur medical records make sure u get the low down on it..like what is their policy on coping records. In one of my ofcs it was 7 business days and a previous it was determine when u requested ur records..if u turn it in after tues they were copied on a thursday and u were allowed to pick them up that next thurs. Turn it in after thurs copied on tues but and be picked up the following tues.
U can have ur records mailed to u without extra charge. The docs medical reord copy fees covers all that and should be at no extra charge.
Also remember the thicker the file they can add more.....our policy for one ofc was 15 to copy and if u had 2 or more charts it was 5 a piece. They can also charge u for copies of x-rays.
Remember ur paying for their time...away from other issues and paying for reams of paper and toner to copy their records....we do not get paid extra for that..

Answer 4

I was at a Doctors office the other day....they had a sign iin their window that read: " We are now charging 35.00 for copies of medical records over 5 pages long" I almost fell off my chair!

Answer 5

While some doctor's offices do not charge they do have the right to in most states. South Carolina actually has a statute which specifies how much can be charged. You might want to check the statutes for you state to see if it is allowed and if so how much the charge can be.

Answer 6

Sure, why not? Someone has to drop what they are doing, fetch your file, let the doctor check what goes and doesn't go (this is where he puts the white-out over things like "nice rump" or "obnoxious voice"), then they have to stand over the copier for a few minutes making your copy, while using the doctor's paper, toner, and adding wear & tear on his machine.

Now, should he charge a lot, no, you've been paying him for a while already.

Answer 7

They should not charge to send them to another doctor. They may charge you a fee for copying the files, but they shouldn't actually charge you for the records themselves.

Answer 8

I have been charged $20 - 25. The best way to get it free is when your checking out be real friendly and ask the lady at the desk to make a copy because when they have to go and find your file, copy and save it for when you pick it up they get real grumpy - no one likes extra work :(

Answer 9

I do believe that they must transfer the information to other doctors at no charge, but if you want a copy for yourself, that yes, they do tend to charge you since it's not imperative you have copies as it would be for another doctor treating you.

Answer 10

If you have health coverage, from bc/bs or cigna or some other provider, ask them if you should be charged. Most likely, they will say no, and most will be happy to call that office to let them know you should not be charged. I was in the same boat about a year ago when I was switching dental providers.