Committee advances bill to require one free copy of medical records for Social Security disability applicants

Sen. Doug Ricks (R‑District 34) told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that Senate Bill 10‑87 would require health care providers to furnish one copy of a patient’s medical records at no charge when the copy is needed to support a documented Social Security Disability claim.

“This bill … deals strictly with medical records and getting a copy of those strictly for social security disability purposes,” Sen. Ricks said, describing the measure as a narrowed version of legislation he had sponsored earlier.

Why it matters: witnesses said hospital systems frequently contract with third‑party vendors to assemble records and those vendors sometimes charge requesters per page. Sen. Ricks and supporters said those per‑page fees can reach $1.24 per page and a single record can run hundreds of pages, creating an affordability barrier for people applying for disability benefits.

Key provisions and clarifications - The bill specifies an electronic copy “if available” and allows a paper copy only when an electronic copy is not available. Sen. Ricks said the intent is to cover common electronic fulfillment practices. - A carve‑out would exempt smaller providers: the sponsor said entities with fewer than 50 employees would be exempt under the draft language. - Sen. Dean Zagerfeld asked the sponsor to add the word “documented” before “qualified claim”; Ricks said he would seek that clarifying change in the fourteenth order so a requester would provide documentation that they are pursuing Social Security disability.

Testimony - Kate Haas of Kestrel West testified on behalf of the Association of Health Information Outsourcing Services (her client group works with hospitals and third‑party vendors that assemble records). She said the sponsor’s edits addressed prior objections and that adding “documented” would help ensure vendors and hospitals treat the requests as a free copy when appropriate: “This makes it very, very clear if there's a certain social security form or if there is a court hearing notice or hearing order attached to it, this is a free one. Don't charge them,” she said.

Committee action The committee first approved minutes from the Feb. 5, 2025 meeting by voice vote. The panel then approved a motion to send RS 32‑371 to print (a separate resolution about administrative‑rules reporting). Later, Sen. Shippey moved that SB 10‑87 be sent to the fourteenth order of business for possible amendments; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes from 02/05/2025: moved by Senator Bjerke; outcome: approved by voice vote (names not recorded on the record). - RS 32‑371 (resolution to print a rules‑reporting item): moved to print (mover identified in the hearing); outcome: approved by voice vote. - Senate Bill 10‑87 (medical records for SSD applicants): motion to send to the fourteenth order for possible amendments; mover: Senator Shippey; outcome: approved by voice vote (referred for possible amendment).

What’s next The sponsor said he will request a technical amendment to add the word “documented” before references to a qualified claim and that the bill will proceed to the fourteenth order for potential amendments and further committee consideration.