1. Confidential information. The following provisions apply to records that are made, acquired or retained by the department in connection with the administration of the Medicaid program and the licensing or certification of hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities and entities. A. Except as provided in Title 5, section 9057 and in subsections 2 and 3, confidential information may not be released without a court order or a written release from the person whose privacy interest is protected by this section. [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] B. "Confidential information" means any information which directly or indirectly identifies: (1) Any person who makes a complaint to the department; (2) A resident or a recipient of services of any facility or provider licensed or certified by the department; (3) Any recipient of a public welfare program, such as the United States Social Security Act, Title XIX; or (4) Any medical or personal information concerning the individuals listed in subparagraphs (2) and (3). [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] 2. Optional disclosure. The department may disclose relevant confidential information to the extent allowed by federal law and regulation to the following persons or agencies: A. Employees of the department and legal counsel for the department in carrying out their official functions; [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] B. Professional and occupational licensing boards pursuant to chapter 857; [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] C. An agency or person investigating a report of abuse or neglect when the investigation is authorized by law or by an agreement with the department; [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] D. A physician treating an individual whom the physician reasonably suspects may have been abused or neglected; [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] E. The resident or recipient of services on whose behalf the complaint was made; or [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] F. A parent, guardian, spouse or adult child of a resident or recipient of services or any other person permitted by the resident or recipient to participate in decisions relating to the resident's or recipient's care. [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] 3. Mandatory disclosure. The department shall disclose relevant confidential information to the extent allowed by federal law and regulations to the following: A. A law enforcement agency investigating a report of abuse or neglect or the commission of a crime by an owner, operator or employee of a facility or provider; or [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] B. Appropriate state or federal agencies when disclosure is necessary to the administration of the Medicaid program. [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).] 4. Further disclosure. Information released pursuant to subsections 2 and 3 shall be used solely for the purpose for which it was provided and shall not be further disseminated. [PL 1989, c. 175, §2 (NEW).]
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