Section 641.126.3. Fees for autopsies and related services and reimbursement for related expenses.

Autopsies performed by the state medical examiner are provided on a fee-for-service basis. Costs of autopsies and related services and expenses are the responsibility of the county of appointment. The county of residence of the deceased shall reimburse the county of appointment.

       126.3(1) Fee schedule. The fees collected under this subrule shall be considered repayment receipts as defined in Iowa Code section 8.2.

        a.           The following fees shall apply to autopsies conducted by the state medical examiner:

Autopsy ..................................................................................	$1400
Copies of reports ..................................................................................	$20

Exceptions: A copy of the autopsy report is automatically sent to the county medical examiner and to the county attorney without fee. A single copy of an autopsy report may be provided to the immediate next of kin of the deceased without fee. Copies of autopsy reports may be provided to public officials and physicians of record for official purposes without fee.

        b.           The following fee is for time spent reviewing case materials, preparing for deposition or court, testifying in deposition or court, and travel time.

State, deputy, or associate medical examiner(s) time for all court cases .................................................................................

$450 per hour with a one-hour minimum

        c.           A cremation permit fee of $75 will be assessed for each permit investigated and authorized by the state medical examiner’s office.

       126.3(2) Expense reimbursement. Other laboratory services associated with an autopsy, which shall include, but not be limited to, photography, toxicology, radiology, microbiology, and morgue fees, shall be billed by the department to the county of appointment. Moneys collected pursuant to this subrule shall be paid by the department to the laboratory or other entity providing the service.

       126.3(3) State medical examiner acting as county medical examiner. When the state medical examiner acts in the capacity of county medical examiner, the state medical examiner shall receive from the county of appointment a fee of $100 per hour, with a one-hour minimum, for each report prepared plus the state medical examiner’s actual expenses. Counties may not depend on the state medical examiner for full-time coverage.

[ARC 9533B, IAB 6/1/11, effective 7/6/11; ARC 9880B, IAB 11/30/11, effective 1/4/12]