Exceptions and Exemptions from Maximum Fees

Providers and medical records companies may enter into a contract with a patient, a patient's representative or an insurer, other than a health insurer, for the copying of medical records at fees that differ from the maximum fees.

The maximum fees also do not apply to copies of medical records provided to health insurance companies, health insuring corporations or to medical records covered by O.R.C. §173.20 (consent and access to records of long-term care residents by the long-term care ombudsman) or 42 CFR 483.10 (long-term care facility resident rights). Physicians may bill health insurers and health insuring corporations for the costs of providing copies of records, provide records free of charge to health insurers and health insuring corporations, or enter into agreements with health insurers and health insuring corporations regarding provision of records.

The following entities are entitled to one free copy of a medical record

The Bureau of Workers' Compensation; the Industrial Commission; the Department of Job and Family Services; and the patient or patient's representative if the medical record is necessary to support a claim for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The request must be accompanied by documentation that a claim has been filed.