2008 Rates for Copying Medical Records

Since 2001, Illinois law has dictated maximum rates physicians and hospitals can charge patients for copying their medical records. Each January the rates are adjusted.

This year, hospitals and physicians are limited to a $23.78 handling charge plus 89 cents per page for the first 25 pages, 59 cents per page for pages 26-50 and 30 cents for each page in excess of 50. Charges for copies made from microfiche or microfilm cannot exceed $1.49 per page. Actual charges for x-rays, CT scans and other tests, and the cost of postage may also be passed along to the patient.

For the official fee chart visit www.ioc.state.il.us./office/fees.cfm.

PLEASE NOTE: HIPAA preempts Illinois law in some cases.

Under HIPAA, when records are being provided directly to the individual patient (or his or her personal representative for health care), the amount a physician can charge for copies of medical records is further limited.

Under HIPAA, physicians can only charge for the direct and indirect costs associated with copying the record. Copying costs will generally be less than $1 per page and the more pages copied, the lower the cost per page.

A physician must charge no more than the lesser of the amount allowed under Illinois law or the amount under HIPAA.

For more information visit www.isms.org. Or call the ISMS Division of Member Advocacy at 800.782.4767.

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