(a) The following words and phrases used in this section shall have the following meanings:

Terms Used In Alabama Code 12-21-6.1

  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(1) ACTUAL COSTS. The cost of material and supplies used to duplicate the medical record, the labor costs, and other costs associated with duplication of the medical records.
(2) PERSON. Any medical provider or company or other legal entity that maintains medical records.
(b)

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person required to release copies of medical records may condition the release upon payment by the requesting party of the reasonable costs of reproducing the medical records.
(2) The reasonable costs of reproducing copies of written or typed documents, or reports shall not be more than one dollar ($1) for each page of the first 25 pages, not more than 50 cents ($.50) for each page in excess of 25 pages, and a search fee of five dollars ($5). If the medical records are mailed to the person making the request, reasonable costs shall include the actual costs of mailing the medical records.
(3) A person may charge in addition to the fees allowed in subdivision (2) of this subsection the actual cost of reproducing X-rays and other special medical records.
(4) Unless other arrangements for payments are made between the requesting party and the person supplying the medical records, the requesting party shall pay the fees charged for reproduction and delivery of the medical records prior to delivery of the medical records.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to records subpoenaed by the State Board of Medical Examiners.
(d) This section shall not affect any fees or costs currently paid by state agencies.