What fee can a patient be charged for medical records if they are used for supporting an application for disability?

Patients are not to be charged a fee for medical records when those records are requested to support an application for disability. This is based on laws designed to ensure that individuals have access to their medical information without financial barriers, particularly when those records are essential for qualifying for necessary benefits such as disability.

The intent behind this provision is to facilitate the process for patients who may already be in a vulnerable position due to their medical circumstances. Ensuring that they can obtain their records without incurring costs is an important aspect of patient rights and access to care.

In contrast, situations where nominal fees, full fees, or standard copying fees might apply generally occur in other circumstances, such as when patients request records for personal use, transfer to another provider, or other non-benefit related requests. However, when the purpose is specifically tied to supporting a disability application, no fee is charged.