Can my health service provider waive or discount the cost of providing access if I can't afford it?

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QUESTION: Can my health service provider waive or discount the cost of providing access if I can't afford it?

ANSWER:

Yes, health service providers can give you access to your health information for free or at a discount.

The Privacy Act doesn't require providers to charge individuals for giving access to their health information.  Providing access free of charge, or at a discount, is up to the provider's discretion.

The Privacy Act does allow providers to charge for access, as long as the fee is not excessive (see NPP 6.4).  Normally a fee can be charged to recover reasonable costs of providing access, such as resources, time and labour.

Related FAQs

Can an organisation charge an individual a fee for providing access to the individual's medical records and how much should that fee be?

I think my doctor has charged me too much to give me access to my medical records. What can I do?