Bill > HB248

This bill establishes clear guidelines for medical providers in Hawaii regarding fees for medical record requests made by a patient's family member, caregiver, or representative. Specifically, the bill limits fees for electronic medical records to a maximum of $2.00 per request when sent electronically, or the actual cost of labor and supplies for other electronic delivery methods. For paper records, providers can charge no more than two cents per ten pages, plus postage, with no postage fee if records are picked up in person. The bill prohibits additional fees for record review, assessment, or searching. Medical providers must process these requests in a timely manner according to federal regulations, and face penalties for non-compliance: $500 for a first violation and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The legislation aims to address barriers faced by disabled individuals seeking social security benefits, who often struggle with the high costs of obtaining medical records. By implementing these fee restrictions, the bill seeks to make medical records more accessible, particularly for indigent patients and those applying for disability benefits, while also aligning with practices in other states that have similar provisions to support individuals navigating the disability benefits process.