PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).
Title of Rule: WAC 246-08-400 Allowable fees for searching and duplicating medical records.
Purpose: The proposed changes adjust the fee that medical providers may charge for searching and duplicating medical records.
Other Identifying Information: The adjustment is based on the change in the consumer price index based on all consumers for the Seattle/Tacoma area for fiscal years 1996 and 1997.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 70.02.010(12) and 43.70.040.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 70.02.101(12) [70.02.010(12)].
Summary: The fees that providers can charge for searching and duplicating medical records cannot exceed .79 cents per page for the first thirty pages and .60 cents per page for all others. The clerical fee may not exceed eighteen dollars.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed rule allows providers to recoup the inflationary costs of providing this service. This adjustment is mandated to occur biennially, and the last update was July 1997.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Yvette Lenz, 1112 S.E. Quince Street, Olympia, 98504, (360) 236-4606.
Name of Proponent: [Department of Health], governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The rule increases the fees that medical providers may charge for searching and duplicating medical records. The fees are not to exceed .79 cents per page for the first thirty pages, .60 cents per page for all other pages, and clerical fees may not exceed $18. The increase is designed to assist providers in recouping the cost for maintaining, searching, and duplicating medical records.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The rule increases the fees that a provider may charge for searching and duplicating medical records.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule is exempt under RCW 34.05.310(4), and therefore does not require a small business economic impact statement.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. This rule is not a "legislatively significant rule." It does not subject individuals to penalties or sanctions, does not establish, alter or revoke a qualification or standard for licensure, and does not make significant amendment to a policy or regulatory program.
Hearing Location: Washington State Department of Health, 1107 Eastside Street, Olympia, WA 98504, on June 9, 1999, at 9:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Yvette Lenz by May 25, 1999, TDD (800) 833-6388.
Submit Written Comments to: Yvette Lenz, Department of Health, 1112 S.E. Quince Street, Mailstop 7850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850, fax (360) 236-4626, by June 1, 1999.
Date of Intended Adoption: June 10, 1999.
May 4, 1999
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary
OTS-3125.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 97-12-087, filed 6/4/97, effective 7/5/97)
WAC 246-08-400
How much can a medical provider charge for searching and
duplicating medical records?
RCW 70.02.010(12) allows medical providers to charge fees for searching and duplicating medical records. The fees a provider may charge cannot exceed the fees listed below:
(1) Copying charge per page:
(a) No more than ((seventy-four)) seventy-nine cents per page for the first thirty pages;
(b) No more than ((fifty-seven)) sixty cents per page for all other pages.
(2) Additional charges:
(a) The provider can charge ((a seventeen)) an eighteen dollar clerical fee for searching
and handling records;
(b) If the provider personally edits confidential information from the record, as required by statute, the provider can charge the usual fee for a basic office visit.
(3) This section is effective July 1, 1997, through June 30, 1999.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.02.010(12) and 43.70.040. 97-12-087, § 246-08-400, filed 6/4/97, effective 7/5/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040 and 70.02.101(12). 95-20-080, § 246-08-400, filed 10/4/95, effective 11/4/95.]