Does anyone know if there are any provisions within HIPPA that allow a physician to charge insurance companies for copying and sending of medical records.

We receive a large amount of medical record requests from Insurance companies in order for them to establish pre-existing conditions.

I had heard through the "grapevine" that charging these companies a fee is acceptable and does not relieve them of their obligation to still pay the claim on a timely basis.

I don't know about HIPAA allowing this copying charge but I do know that doctor's offices do charge a copying fee and a postage fee as well. They do it all the time to attorney's offices sometimes charging $1 a page plus postage. Each doctor's office charges differently. Even if a person wants a copy of their own medical records it will still cost them the copying charge.

The copying charge has nothing to do with paying their bill ontime.