By David Jackson:
The two physicians in the General Assembly, Sen. Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph) and Rep. Keith Frederick (R-Rolla), are teaming up on an effort to ensure providers can be fairly reimbursed for the cost and labor used to retrieve medical records. The House Health Care Policy Committee heard HB 580 this week, which allows providers to charge a fee for medical records that are stored at an off-site location. Amendments are being drafted to cap the fee at $30 and increase other fees for copying and postage to adjust for inflation. Under current law, providers can charge up to $17.67 for copying and costs of labor or supplies. Sen. Schaaf has identical legislation in the Senate under SB 62, which was voted out of committee on February 22nd.