ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4139

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  AUGUST 24, 2020

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4139.

      This bill revises P.L.2019, c.217 (C.26:2H-5n et al.), which sets forth certain requirements concerning the fees that may be charged for patient medical and billing records, to provide that these records may be provided without fee to any patient who has a pending application for, or who is current receiving, federal Social Security disability benefits.  Current law already authorizes patient records to be furnished without fee to low income patients, not-for-profit corporations representing a patient, and attorneys representing a patient on a pro bono basis.

      The bill further specifies that patient records are to be delivered in the manner specified by the requestor, including mailing the records to any address or faxing the records to any number specified by the requestor, including the requestor’s attorney.  Nothing in the bill will alter the ability of hospitals and health care professionals to assess a fee for the costs of delivering the records, unless the records are otherwise to be provided without charge.