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HB 4855

Relating to a patient's access to health records and access to and exchange of certain health benefit plan information; authorizing a civil penalty; authorizing fees.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Dade Phelan

HB 4855 expands Texas patients' access rights to medical records and health plan information while authorizing penalties and fees for non-compliance and record provision.

Referred to Public Health
#blood&medicaltests(s0470) #business&commerce--general(i0050) #civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #healthcareproviders(i0387) #health--general(i0385) #health--otherdiseases&medicalconditions(i0383) #health--privacy/useofinformation(i0389) #insurance #commissionerof(v0396) #insurance--life #health&accident(i0440) #medicalrecords(s0104)
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Bill Summary · HB 4855

Legislative bill overview

HB 4855 expands patient rights to access their own health records and health benefit plan information while establishing mechanisms for exchanging this data. The bill authorizes civil penalties for non-compliance and permits the charging of fees for providing these records and information.

Why is this important

Patients' ability to access their medical records and insurance information is fundamental to informed healthcare decision-making and continuity of care. Establishing clear penalties and fee structures creates enforceable standards, though fee authorization raises concerns about potential barriers to access for lower-income Texans.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee structure debate: While authorizing fees incentivizes record production, there's tension between cost recovery and ensuring economically disadvantaged patients can afford to obtain their records
  • Interoperability requirements: The bill's data exchange provisions may impose significant administrative and technical burdens on healthcare providers and insurers, particularly smaller facilities
  • Penalty standards: The specifics of civil penalties—their amounts and triggers—will determine whether enforcement is meaningful or largely symbolic

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

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