I have to pay for some records but not others. When I have MRI or other imaging services, they will provide a FREE copy for me AFTER my doctor has discussed the results with me. They will NOT provide a copy of the CD or report until after the patient has seen the ordering physician. I just drop an email or phone call on the diagnostic provider and I get it FREE. Most of my physicians will hand me a copy of lab results.

Doctors are different about THEIR progress notes. Usually they will be provided upon receipt of a signed form authorizing the release even to the patient themself. If the signed request is to send your records to another physician, it is usually FREE. If it is a copy for you, the patient, there is a fee per page usually for copies. Hospitals generally work the same as doctors with copies of records. A signed authorization needed and a fee if not going directly to another medical facility.

Many doctors offices have an outside source come in and make the copies and the outside company will bill you for their services. When you pay their invoice, they mail you the copies. There invoice will state the number of pages involved and the price per page and total due for their services. Some of these companies are a little more trusting and will send the invoice to you WITH the copies you requested. The problem is once someone has received their copies, they "forget" to pay. Most companies do not care that you are further delayed in receiving them by having to wait for their invoice, wait until they receive your payment, and then you have to wait for the copies to be mailed to you. Most companies will ONLY provide the copies by mail but some are now giving the patient a choice of receiving them via computer in the format you describe.

Basically, it is up to the person or entity that has your records as to how they are released and whether there is a fee. Some of my docs will just hand them to me, others require the authorization to release. Some charge me and some do not. It is the option of the provider. State laws regarding medical records differ from state to state. Yes, they ARE YOUR records but some states do not agree with that. Whose "property" is governed by state law. Some states say the records may be "about" you but are NOT your property and you are not entitled to them.

I would say that MOST providers of medical services do allow access to patient records but the fee issue is up to each of them individually. If not being handed directly to the patient, be prepared to sign a release authorization form.