Arkansas Medical Record Retrieval, Statutory Copying Fee Caps & Subpoena Rules (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-106)
Complete guide to Arkansas medical record retrieval, comparing the Federal HIPAA Patient Rate (45 CFR § 164.524) against Arkansas's third-party copying fee caps under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-106 (post-Ciox Health v. Azar), mandatory 30 calendar days (HIPAA baseline) response deadlines, and Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-108 & § 16-46-305 (Medical Records Custodian Affidavit) trial authentication.
Arkansas (AR) Medical Record Laws at a Glance
- Governing Fee Statute
- Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-106
- Mandatory Response Deadline
- 30 calendar days (HIPAA baseline)
- State Statutory Third-Party Copying Fee Schedule (Post-Ciox v. Azar)
- $0.50/pg (pgs 1–25), $0.25/pg (26+) + up to $15.00 labor fee for paper; electronic records governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-106
- Custodian Affidavit & Evidence Rule
- Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-108 & § 16-46-305 (Medical Records Custodian Affidavit)
- Minimum Record Retention Rule
- 10 years adult; minor until age 21 (2 years past majority)
Arkansas Medical Record Fee Comparison: Patient Direct vs. Third-Party Law Firm
Under Ciox Health, LLC v. Azar, 435 F. Supp. 3d 30 (D.D.C. 2020), the federal HIPAA “Patient Rate” applies strictly to direct-to-patient requests, while third-party attorney and insurance requests in Arkansas are governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-106:
| Requirement | Patient Direct (45 CFR § 164.524) | Arkansas Third-Party Attorney (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-106) | Arkansas Civil Subpoena & Affidavit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Copying & Search Fee | Reasonable cost-based labor only when delivered directly to patient ($0 search fee) | $0.50/pg (pgs 1–25), $0.25/pg (26+) + up to $15.00 labor fee for paper; electronic records governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-106 | Statutory subpoena clerical & per-page limits under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-106 |
| Mandatory Turnaround Window | 30 calendar days (HIPAA baseline) (or 30 days federal ceiling, whichever is shorter) | 30 calendar days (HIPAA baseline) | Subpoena return date + mandatory consumer notice window |
| Self-Authentication in Court | Uncertified unless Custodian Affidavit is requested | Certified Custodian Declaration under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-108 & § 16-46-305 (Medical Records Custodian Affidavit) | Mandatory Custodian Affidavit or Certificate of No Records (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-46-108 & § 16-46-305 (Medical Records Custodian Affidavit)) |
Arkansas County Subpoena Venues, Coroner Autopsy & EMS Run Sheet Hubs
Autopsy and forensic toxicology reports, 911 paramedic Prehospital Care Reports (PCRs), and trial court civil subpoenas in Arkansas are governed at the county/district level. Select a county below to view its trial court subpoena venue, Medical Examiner office, and 911 EMS agency:
Pulaski County
Court: Pulaski County Circuit Court (6th Judicial Circuit)
Coroner/ME: Arkansas State Crime Laboratory — Medical Examiner Division & Pulaski County Coroner
Washington County
Court: Washington County Circuit Court (4th Judicial Circuit)
Coroner/ME: Washington County Coroner Office & Arkansas State Medical Examiner
Major Arkansas Medical Center Cities (HIM, Billing & PACS Routing)
Select a major medical center city in Arkansas to view its Level I/II trauma centers, acute-care hospitals, VA Medical Centers, and 3-department ROI vendor routing:
Little Rock, AR Medical Record Retrieval
UAMS Medical Center (Adult Level I Trauma Center) • Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock • CHI St. Vincent Infirmary
Fayetteville, AR Medical Record Retrieval
Washington Regional Medical Center (Level II Trauma) • Arkansas Children's Northwest • Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas (Rogers)
Major Arkansas Hospital Systems & Retrieval Hubs
We retrieve complete inpatient and outpatient clinical charts, UB-04 / CMS-1500 itemized billing ledgers, and DICOM radiology studies from all healthcare systems in Arkansas, including Baptist Health Arkansas, UAMS Health, Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, CHI St. Vincent, and regional clinics.