NY A04581

Expands "medical records" to "health records" and broadens definition to include X-rays, images, laboratory tests, and billing/payment records from all types of health care providers.

Requires health care providers to release requested health records to designated providers upon written patient request, excluding only non-clinical personal notes of the provider.

Limits copying charges to actual documented costs (maximum 75 cents per page for paper copies) and prohibits charges for records requested to support government benefit or program applications.

Establishes that employer health care providers are responsible for complying with record release requirements unless employment or contract terms explicitly state otherwise, and must direct misrouted requests to the responsible provider.

Expands definition of "health care practitioner" to include 27 licensed professions (from physicians and nurses to athletic trainers, acupuncturists, and applied behavior analysts) and applies same record-release rules to mental health facilities and practitioners.