Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

Release of medical records

I was at a Dr. Appt. aprox. 3 weeks ago(11/9/01) and requested that my records be mailed to my home after blood work results were complete. I completed and signed a release of records form at that time - that only asked for my address and signature and what I wanted to be sent to my home. Both the receptionist and the Dr. said that they would be sent out as soon as test results came back. I spoke with one of the women working in the office by telephone today (11/27/01) to see if I could pick them up on my own since I had not recieved them in the mail as of yet. I was told that they would be ready when I came in to get them today. When I arrived, I was then informed of a policy that required me to pay $25 for an outside company to copy and send me the information. This had not been metioned at all during the two previous conversations. Is it legal for them to charge me the $25 for my own personal information and to also share it with an outside company without my permission?


Asked on 11/27/01, 4:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Richard Teitell Richard K. Teitell, Esquire, P.C.

Re: Release of medical records

Pa. has a law which provides maximum amounts a medical facility can charge for records. Many doctors offices are not familiar with the law. I believe the law provides for a $15 search fee, and then something like $1 per page for the 1st so many pages, and a lesser amount per page thereafter. I can check the exact amounts for you if needed. I suggest you inform the doctor's office about the law. The copying service should be very familiar with the law, and can provide you in advance with the exact amount of the charge. Also, if it's only a few pages the doctor's office should just provide the copies as a courtesy. You should express your unhappiness to the doctor at the next visit.

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Answered on 11/28/01, 9:56 pm


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