Q&A: What you can charge for copying records

Q: I've never charged patients any fees for pulling out and copying their records, but I may start soon. What does HIPAA have to say about this?

A: Under HIPAA, you can charge reasonable fees for copying and postage only, not for retrieving medical records. The fees should reflect your actual copying and postage costs, factoring in supplies and labor. But some states restrict charges for medical records, so check your state's law first.