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HB 2683

Allowing healthcare providers to charge fees to furnish a patient's healthcare records and providing for the disclosure of a deceased patient's healthcare records to certain individuals.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas bill allows healthcare providers to charge patients for records and establishes rules for accessing deceased patients' medical information.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2683

Legislative bill overview

HB 2683 would allow healthcare providers in Kansas to charge patients fees for furnishing their own medical records and establish procedures for disclosing deceased patients' healthcare records to specific individuals. The bill creates new legal authority for record-related charges and establishes who may access records after a patient's death.

Why is this important

Medical record access is fundamental to patient autonomy, continuity of care, and estate management. This bill directly affects patients' ability to obtain their own health information and determines which family members or representatives can access records of deceased relatives—issues that intersect with healthcare costs, privacy, inheritance, and end-of-life decision-making.

Potential points of contention

  • Record access fees: Charging for records could create financial barriers for low-income patients, those with chronic illnesses requiring frequent transfers, or patients seeking second opinions—potentially conflicting with federal HIPAA rules and patient rights expectations
  • Deceased patient disclosure standards: The bill's definition of "certain individuals" eligible to access deceased patients' records may be ambiguous, creating disputes between family members, healthcare providers, and potentially conflicting state/federal requirements
  • Cost justification: Healthcare providers' administrative costs for copying/transmitting records vary widely; the bill may lack standards for what constitutes reasonable fees, potentially allowing excessive charges

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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