Texas Medical Record Fees: 2026 Statutory Guide
In Texas, medical record fees are not “one size fits all.” Fees vary significantly depending on whether the provider is a physician, a chiropractor, or a hospital.
1. Physician Record Fees (MD / DO)
Physician fees are regulated by the Texas Medical Board (TMB) under 22 TAC § 165.2.
| Service Type | Paper Records Fee | Electronic Records Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Base Fee | $25.00 (First 20 pages) | $25.00 (Up to 500 pages) |
| Additional Pages | $0.50 per page | $50.00 Total (Over 500 pages) |
| Affidavit Fee | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Imaging (X-Rays) | $8.00 per copy | $8.00 per copy |
2. Chiropractic Record Fees (D.C.)
Chiropractors are governed by the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners under 22 TAC § 76.3. These rates are common in PI cases and often higher than physician rates.
| Service Type | Paper Records Fee | Digital Records Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Base/First Page | $25.00 | $50.00 (Routine Flat Fee) |
| Additional Pages | $0.25 per page | Included in Flat Fee |
| Affidavit Fee | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Imaging (1st study) | $50.00 | $50.00 |
3. Hospital Record Fees (2025-2026 CPI Adjusted)
Hospital rates are adjusted annually by the HHSC. The following rates are effective through August 31, 2026.
| Service Type | Paper Records Fee | Electronic Records Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Retrieval/Base Fee | $61.79 (First 10 pages) | $82.95 (Flat Processing) |
| Pages 11–60 | $2.09 per page | Included in Base |
| Pages 61–400 | $1.02 per page | Included in Base |
| Pages 401+ | $0.56 per page | Included in Base |
| Affidavit Fee | $15.00 | $15.00 |
4. Mandatory Fee Waivers (Disability Claims)
Under Texas Health and Safety Code § 161.202, no fee (physician, chiropractor, or hospital) may be charged if the records are requested by a patient or representative to support a claim for disability-based benefits (SSI/SSDI).
5. Response Timeframe
Providers have 15 business days from the receipt of the request and payment to provide the records.
PI Audit Checklist for Texas
- The Affidavit Trap: If a chiropractor bills you $25 for an affidavit, it is legal. If an MD bills you $25, it is an overcharge (cap is $15).
- Electronic Caps: For hospitals, the $82.95 electronic fee is a “processing fee.” They generally cannot add a per-page rate on top of this for digital delivery.
- The 5-Day Invoice Rule: Specifically for chiropractors, 22 TAC § 76.3(f) requires them to notify you of the fee within 5 business days.
Audit Your Invoice
If a Texas provider is using outdated 2024 hospital rates or exceeding the specific board-mandated caps for chiropractors, our auditor will flag the balance for a reduction request.
Not sure if your invoice is accurate? Use our Medical Record Fee Calculator to audit your charges against these active Texas statutes.
Please understand that the materials on this web page are for general information purposes only, and is not intended as legal advice.