Summary & Overview
HCPCS S9982: Medical Records Copying Fee, Per Page
HCPCS Level II code S9982 represents a per-page fee for copying medical records. This administrative code captures charges for reproducing patient documentation and is relevant across healthcare settings where records are requested for continuity of care, legal purposes, or patient access. Nationally, per-page medical records fees are a common source of administrative revenue and are subject to payer policies and state-level fee regulations, making S9982 important for revenue cycle and compliance teams.
Key payers included in this overview are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of what S9982 covers, where the service is typically delivered, and which payers commonly address these fees. The publication summarizes available benchmarks and policy considerations, highlights payer coverage patterns, and provides clinical-context framing to help billing and compliance staff understand when this code is reported.
This executive summary is intended for a national audience and provides actionable clarity on the code’s purpose, typical use cases, and the payer landscape. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code S9982 denotes a medical records copying fee, per page. This code is used to report charges associated with the reproduction of a patient’s medical records on a per-page basis. The service type is administrative medical records reproduction, and the typical site of service is outpatient or administrative offices where record requests are processed and fulfilled.
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient requests copies of their medical record for personal use or transfer of care. Typical scenarios include a patient relocating to a new primary care physician, seeking second opinions, or supplying records for legal, insurance, or disability claims. The clinical workflow begins with a records request received by medical records or health information management (HIM). The HIM staff verifies patient identity, confirms authorization (signed release), determines scope (entire chart, specific dates, or selected documents), and calculates the copying fee using S9982 billed per page. Copies may be produced as paper or scanned electronic images; for durable medical equipment or complex imaging, images may be provided on CD or electronic transfer. The billing department appends applicable payer-required modifiers and submits S9982 to the patient’s payor (for example Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, Medicare) or bills the patient directly when permitted by state law or payer policy. Turnaround includes processing, copying, and secure delivery or pickup, with documentation of authorization and fees retained in the HIM record.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier/standard service | Use when no special circumstances apply to the copying fee |