Doctors Overcharging for Copies of Medical Records

Sandy Grinnell

Contributor

1 CommentPrint ArticleSubscribe

Last week in the Orlando Sentinel's Ticked Off column, a reader was complaining that an orthopaedic doctor's office charged $35.00 for copies of 10 pages of medical records - that's $3.50 per page. Not only is that a ridiculous rate, it is also a direct a violation of Florida's Administrative Code - Rule 64B8-10.003 Medical Records Retention, Disposition, Reproduction. This rule limits the copy charge rate as follows:

(2) 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.

Many doctors' offices have the philosophy that your medical records are their property and make it very difficult for you to get copies of medical records. They make make you jump through many hoops to get them and then try to charge exhorbitant rates to make the copies. Not only is this unethical, it is illegal. Do not let your doctor overcharge you for your medical records! Refer them to the Florida Administrative Rule above and then if they still don't comply, report them to the Board of Medicine.