Minnesota medical records laws

How Minnesota differs from federal HIPAA

• Sets flat dollar caps ($1/page + $10 paper; $20 electronic; $30 x-rays; $500 max) — HIPAA requires only cost-based fees and bars retrieval fees for covered entities.
• Copies for reviewing current care are free; reduced or no fees for Social Security disability appeals.
• Provides a state damages remedy (with attorney fees) for unauthorized release or access.

How long a provider has to respond

Minnesota providers must furnish copies within 30 calendar days of a written request; the state statute contains no extension provision.(Minn. Stat. § 144.292 (subd. 6 am. 2024 c 127 art 66 s 6))

What a provider can charge

Since the 2024 amendment, Minnesota caps patient copy charges at $1 per page plus $10 for paper, $20 total for electronic copies and $30 total for x-rays. Paper totals are further capped: $10 if no records exist, $30 up to 25 pages, $50 up to 100 pages, $50 plus 20 cents per page above 100, and $500 per request; copies to review current care are free.(Minn. Stat. § 144.292 (subd. 6 am. 2024 c 127 art 66 s 6))

Paper copies

$1 per page + $10 retrieval/copying fee (paper), with tiered caps up to $500

fee for time spent retrieving and copying (paper)

Up to $10.00

Electronic copies

A total of $20 for retrieving electronic copies; x-rays a total of $30.

When copies are free

No fee when a patient requests records to review current medical care. For a Social Security disability appeal, only a $10 retrieval fee may be charged — and no fee at all if the patient receives public assistance (with proof such as an SSA benefits statement).

A provider cannot refuse to give you your records because you owe money for treatment. Compare every state on the medical records fees by state page.

How long records must be kept

• Hospitals: Portions forming the individual permanent medical record (defined by MDH rule, including outpatient diagnostic and lab results) are kept permanently; other portions may be destroyed after 7 years; for minors, 7 years or until the age of majority, whichever is later(Minn. Stat. § 145.32)

Minors and sensitive records

• Minors: For a minor, a parent or guardian is treated as the 'patient' for records rights — except for health care the minor received under Minnesota's minor-consent laws (Minn. Stat. §§ 144.341–144.347).(Minn. Stat. § 144.291, subd. 2(g))
• other: A provider may withhold information it reasonably determines is detrimental to the patient's physical or mental health, or likely to cause self-harm or harm to another, and may give it to an appropriate third party or another provider, who may release it to the patient.(Minn. Stat. § 144.292 (subd. 6 am. 2024 c 127 art 66 s 6))

If a provider doesn't comply

Violating the Health Records Act can be grounds for discipline by the provider's licensing board. A person who makes an unauthorized release or intentional unauthorized access is liable to the patient for compensatory damages plus costs and reasonable attorney fees.(Minn. Stat. § 144.298)

• Minnesota Board of Medical Practice

  physicians and other Board-licensed practitioners · (612) 617-2130

• HHS Office for Civil Rights

  HIPAA violations by any covered entity, within 180 days

How to request your records in Minnesota

1. Ask the provider's medical records (health information) department for its request form, or write your own request with your name, date of birth, dates of care, the records you want, and the format (paper or electronic).
2. Keep a copy and note the date — the 30 days clock runs from when the provider receives it.
3. If the deadline passes or the bill exceeds the rules above, use the complaint routes on this page.

Templates and step-by-step help are on the records-access hub. Find a Minnesota hospital's records office, or browse hospitals in Minnesota.

Common questions about Minnesota medical records