Can a covered entity impose a fee for copies of PHI if requested by a patient?

A covered entity can impose a modest fee for copies of protected health information (PHI) requested by a patient, which makes this answer correct. Under HIPAA regulations, covered entities are allowed to charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for producing copies of PHI. This fee typically includes the cost of labor for searching for and retrieving the information, as well as the cost of materials, such as paper and ink, needed to provide the copies.

It's essential for the fees to be reasonable and not excessive since the goal of HIPAA is to ensure patients have access to their health information while also allowing covered entities to recover some of the costs associated with complying with these requests. The specifics may vary depending on local laws and the entity's policies, but generally, a modest fee aims to balance the patient's right to access their information with the covered entity's operational costs.

Other options suggest either prohibition of fees or restrictions that do not align with HIPAA’s allowance for modest fees, which could lead to misunderstandings about patient rights and the responsibilities of covered entities under the law.