When an attending physician, NOT the patient, wants a copy of the complete medical record or a significant portion of it from a previous physician, it is proper professionally and ethically for the providing physician to request financial compensation from the requesting physician. If it is the patient who insists on transfer of the medical chart, the administrative cost of doing so should be billed to the patient who requested the transfer. It can be difficult to know whether the request originates with the physician or the patient. The request should specify the individual who is initiating the request so the providing physician can bill appropriately. The request should also provide authorization for release and show that the patient accepts responsibility for payment where that is appropriate.
Attachments are examples only.
I would appreciate your sending, at your earliest convenience, a summary of medical records that may be in your possession. I understand that this is an uninsured service not covered by my medical insurance plan. I realize that there may be a charge for this service and that I am responsible for it. Please contact me concerning the fee prior to copying my records. It is our Clinic policy to charge the patient directly for this service and the fee is variable depending on the complexity of the chart.