Wisconsin Hospital Records Fee $3M Class Action Settlement

Individuals who requested their own health care records, authorized someone in writing to obtain health care records or were authorized by a patient to request and obtain health care records from certain Wisconsin hospitals between April 4, 2017, and April 5, 2018, or April 4, 2020, and the present, and paid a “paper copy” fee for electronic copies may qualify to submit a claim for the amount paid plus $175 from a class action settlement.

Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital Inc. and related entities agreed to pay $3,055,323.17 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it charged “paper copy” fees for electronic copies of health care records in violation of Wisconsin law.

Who is eligible for a record fee settlement payout?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

• Individual claimants: Patients who requested their own health care records or authorized another person in writing to request their records.
• Requester claimants: Individuals or entities who had a patient’s written authorization to obtain the patient’s health care records.
• Individuals or entities whom Verisma Systems Inc. charged a “paper copy” rate under Wis. Stat. § 146.83(3f)(b)1. for electronic copies of patient health care records .

Class members must have paid record fees between April 4, 2017, and April 5, 2018, or between April 4, 2020, and the present, either directly or indirectly.

Records must have been requested from the following facilities or practices:

• Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
• St. Joseph’s Community Hospital of West Bend
• Community Memorial Hospital of Menomonee Falls
• Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Community Physicians

Who is excluded from the class?

• Individuals or entities who have already been reimbursed for “paper copy” fees for electronic copies of health care records.
• Law firms that paid such fees and whose lawsuits have since resolved with monetary relief for their clients

How much is the class action payment?

Eligible claimants who submit valid claims will receive:

• The amount they paid in “paper copy” fees for electronic copies of health care records requested during the qualifying periods
• $175 in exemplary damages

How to claim a class action rebate

To claim a settlement payment, class members must submit a claim form. Consumers or entities can file a claim online or print and mail a claim form to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Klecha v Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital c/o Settlement Administrator, PO Box 23678, Jacksonville, FL 32241

Claim forms must be submitted online or received by mail on Sept. 15, 2025.

To complete the claim, you will need to provide the unique invoice number from each invoice on which you were charged “paper copy” fees for electronic records. Claims cannot be submitted as a group or on behalf of a class of persons.

Required claim information

• Class members must provide the notice ID and PIN from their settlement notice to submit a claim.
• Class members must also provide the unique invoice number from each invoice on which they were charged "paper copy" fees for electronic copies of medical records.
• Entities submitting a claim must provide a taxpayer identifier.

Payout options

• Digital payment
• Paper check mailed to the address provided

Hospital record fee settlement fund

The $3,055,323.17 settlement fund will cover payments to approved claimants.

The defendants will pay the following separately:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and expenses: $855,491
• Service awards to class representatives: $5,000 each ($20,000 total)

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: Sept. 15, 2025
• Opt-out deadline: Sept. 15, 2025
• Fairness hearing: Oct. 7, 2025

When is the Wisconsin hospital fee settlement payout date?

Payments will be issued approximately 195 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action lawsuit and settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital Inc. and related entities improperly charged “paper copy” fees for electronic copies of health care records, which the plaintiffs argued was not permitted under Wisconsin law.

The defendants denied any wrongdoing, but agreed to settle to avoid the risks and expense of continued litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement website FAQ page
3. Settlement website key dates page