All applications and records concerning any applicant or recipient under the Medicaid Program shall be confidential and shall be open to inspection only to persons duly authorized by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, this state, or the United States, and for purposes directly related to plan administration. Provided, however, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority shall maintain a process to allow an authorized representative of a client of the State Medicaid Program to have access to confidential information when necessary for eligibility determination and the appeals process. For purposes of this section, "authorized representative" shall mean any person designated by a client of the State Medicaid Program to review confidential information about the client pertinent to eligibility determination and the appeals process. For purposes of this section, "purposes directly related to plan administration" means establishing eligibility, determining the amount of medical assistance, providing services to recipients, conducting or assisting with an investigation or prosecution, or civil or criminal proceedings in relation to the administration of the State Medicaid Program.

Applications and records considered confidential are those which disclose:

1. The name and address of the recipient;

2. The medical services provided;

3. The recipient's social and economic circumstances;

4. The agency's evaluation of personal information;

5. The medical data which includes but is not limited to diagnosis and past history of disease and disability; and

6. Any information received for the purpose of verifying income eligibility and determining the amount of medical assistance payments.

Added by Laws 1995, c. 170, § 3, emerg. eff. May 8, 1995.