Florida-Free Access to Medical Records for the Disabled
The current Florida statute requires all people to pay up to $1 per page for copying their medical records.
Over the past several years my firm has represented thousands of claimants for Veterans Disability Compensation and Social Security Disability. I cannot describe how frustrating it is to be contacted by a disabled veteran who appeared at his Social Security hearing, but was denied because he could not afford the necessary medical records to prove his disability case.
But the impact goes far beyond my clients inability to pay, it goes to the very core of disabled individuals access to federally funded programs, and hence to the state governments reduced need for funding to support uninsured individuals through state-funded programs.
Statute 395.3025:
"The exclusive charge for copies of patient records may include sales tax and actual postage, and, except for non-paper records that are subject to a charge not to exceed $2, may not exceed $1 per page...."
A change in the statute is required by the legisture. We are suggesting that the statute includes the following:
NO PROVIDER SHALL CHARGE FOR FURNISHING A HEALTH RECORD TO A PATIENT, HIS ATTORNEY OR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IF THE RECORD IS REQUESTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING A CLAIM OR APPEAL UNDER ANY PROVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OR SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, ONLY IF THE REQUEST IS ACCOMPANIED BY A COPY OF THE CLAIM OR APPEAL DOCUMENT. RECORDS MUST BE PROVIDED WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE WRITTEN REQUEST.
We appreciate your consideration.
The current Florida statute requires all people to pay up to $1 per page for copying their medical records.
Over the past several years my firm has represented thousands of claimants for Veterans Disability Compensation and Social Security Disability. I cannot describe how frustrating it is to be contacted by a disabled veteran who appeared at his Social Security hearing, but was denied because he could not afford the necessary medical records to prove his disability case.
But the impact goes far beyond my clients inability to pay, it goes to the very core of disabled individuals access to federally funded programs, and hence to the state governments reduced need for funding to support uninsured individuals through state-funded programs.
Statute 395.3025:
"The exclusive charge for copies of patient records may include sales tax and actual postage, and, except for non-paper records that are subject to a charge not to exceed $2, may not exceed $1 per page...."
A change in the statute is required by the legisture. We are suggesting that the statute includes the following:
NO PROVIDER SHALL CHARGE FOR FURNISHING A HEALTH RECORD TO A PATIENT, HIS ATTORNEY OR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IF THE RECORD IS REQUESTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING A CLAIM OR APPEAL UNDER ANY PROVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OR SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, ONLY IF THE REQUEST IS ACCOMPANIED BY A COPY OF THE CLAIM OR APPEAL DOCUMENT. RECORDS MUST BE PROVIDED WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE WRITTEN REQUEST.
We appreciate your consideration.
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11:57 am PDT, Oct 6,
Name not displayed, Florida
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I am a disabled as a Workers Compensation Injury which has ended up being a lifetime unavailabilty to work, netherless have any kind of fufilling life, and its been over 28 years, I can't work as Im on Disabilty, and have Workers Compensation Medical Needs only coverage. I live month to month a fixed income, as a handicapped citizen As for my civil rights I should be exempt from paying anything for my medical records as any Medical facility has already been paid to see me or provide treatment, PEOPLE THAT OUR INJURED STILL DO LIVE AND BREATH AND SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS AS 28 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO KEEP UP WITH ALL PERTAINING RECORDS OF INJURY NEVERLESS REMEMBERING EVERY MEDICAL TREATMENT OR DOCTER YOU HAVE SEEN PLEASE WAIVE THE CHARGE FOR MEDICAL RECORDS. SINCERELY, LKL
It is absurd to charge a patient for a copy of his/her medical records. There must be some way that this information can be provided free of charge.
I am disabled and on disability, thus a very limited income. Making people pay for their medical records is absolutely ridiculous and many times impossible. When I have to make a change from one Dr. to another and they ask me to bring my records I have to tell them I'm not able to do that due to the cost. These are my records and I should have free access to them at any time for any reason!
As a parent of a special needs child, the fact that I have to pay to receive one copy of his medical records is outrageous. We hail from the North East and there has never been an issue in receiving copies of his medical records. For a state who takes pride in emphasizing health care, I find this "hidden fee" unacceptable. No wonder the doctors down here will not provide the patient reports. They can supplement their income by these fees.
Please change this law. You know in your heart it's wrong, It's that simple.
Please stop charging $1.00 a page for medical records for Disabled people. We are on a limited income and cannot afford it. I stopped getting my records for this reason.
Medical records should be free to patients and their representation. It is unfair to charge people for information on themselves!!
Please pass this legislation to make the medical records of those applying for disability benefits easier to obtain. Thank you for considering this very important matter.
It is because of our medical conditions that doctors live a prosperous life, yet they have to even charge to copy our records. It is a shame.
I totally agree 100% with this petition and the law offices of LaVan and Neidenberg! For nearly 2 decades i was denied my disability benefits because of lack of medical records! How could someone sick and unemployed afford them? I hope and pray that they reach their goal and change the Florida statue. I can't thank Mr LaVan and Mr.Neidenberg enough.They saved my life and my family!
