An Act ensuring access to medical records

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not specify the exact purposes beyond 'coverage, payment for services, care coordination or health care quality improvement efforts'.

Making Medical Records Easier to Access

This act removes fees that healthcare providers charge when sending electronic copies of patients' medical records for certain purposes.

What This Bill Does

• Removes the requirement for healthcare entities to charge extra fees for sending electronic copies of patients' medical records when necessary for coverage, payment, care coordination, or improving health care quality.

Who It Names or Affects

• Healthcare providers who send patient medical records electronically
• Patients requesting their medical records

Terms To Know

Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

Digital versions of patients' health information that are stored and managed by healthcare providers.

Care Coordination

The process of managing a patient's medical care to ensure they receive the right treatment at the right time from different healthcare providers.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not cover fees for getting paper copies of medical records.
• Only applies to electronic transmission of data, not physical delivery methods like mail or in-person pickup.
• The bill has been referred to a committee and is still under review as of December 31, 2026.

Official Summary Text

An Act ensuring access to medical records
By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2553) of Andres X. Vargas relative to fees to access to medical records. Public Health.
Status:
Referred to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Current Bill Text

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Bill H.2553

Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended after section 244 by adding the following section:

Section 255. (a) No entity shall charge a separate fee for the transmission of data from patient electronic medical records when necessary to facilitate coverage, payment for services, care coordination or health care quality improvement efforts.

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