Tennessee House Bill HB0647

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/23
• Refer: 2/1/23
• Refer: 3/28/23
• Refer: 4/5/23
• Refer: 2/28/24
• Engrossed: 3/14/24
• Enrolled: 4/3/24
• Passed: 4/22/24
• Chaptered: 5/1/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Section 63-2-102, relative to medical records.

Impact

The impact of HB0647 on state law is significant, as it standardizes the fees that healthcare providers can charge for accessing medical records. This ensures consistency across the state and protects patients from exorbitant charges when requesting their own health information. Notably, the act specifies that providers should charge no more than reasonable costs, which will bring more clarity and fairness to the process of obtaining medical records. Furthermore, it aligns with existing federal regulations under HIPAA for patient access to their medical records, ensuring that state law does not contradict these federal provisions.

Summary

House Bill 0647 amends the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the regulation of medical records. With a focus on controlling the fees associated with obtaining medical records, the bill stipulates specific cost limits for both paper and electronic formats. It provides a structured fee schedule ensuring that patients, and others requesting records, are not overcharged for copying and mailing their medical information. For instance, charges for paper copies are capped at twenty-five dollars for the first five pages and fifty cents per page thereafter, while electronic copies also adhere to set pricing limits.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB0647 appears to be positive among proponents who view it as a necessary reform for enhancing patient rights and transparency within the healthcare system. Supporters believe that by implementing clear and fair cost structures, the bill empowers patients to have better access to their medical records without financial burden. However, there may be concerns from healthcare providers about the limitations imposed on how much they can charge, which could be viewed as a challenge to their operational costs and business models.

Contention

Notable points of contention that could arise from the bill include the balance between protecting patients’ rights and the concerns of healthcare providers about the financial implications of capped fees. Some providers may argue that the limits on fees could hinder their ability to recover costs associated with record retrieval and copying processes. Additionally, there may be worries about the potential administrative burdens that could arise from implementing these changes, especially for smaller practices that may not have the resources to adapt easily to the new billing structures.