Freedom of Information Act

A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever Govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. -- James Madison
(Letter to W. T. Barry Aug 4, 1822. The Writings of James Madison)

Information can be requested from three sources.

#1. Your State Cabinet responsible for Oversight of Health Care: This source can provide State data on health care in your state and state investigative reports.

For Kentucky: State OIG (Office of Inspector General) reports can be obtained by sending a Freedom of Information request to the following address:

Freedom of Information
Cabinet of Health and Family Services
Office of Inspector General
275 East Main St. 5E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621

#2. From the Medicare Intermediary Responsible for administering the Medicare Program: This source can provide Medicare Cost Reports. To find the Administar for you state use the following links.

CMS Jan 1997 - List of Intermediary Carriers

For Kentucky Carriers Include

Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.
Freedom of Information
P.O. Box 50454
Indianapolis, IN 46250-0454

Mutual of Omaha
Medicare Audit & Reimbursement
Attn: Mindy Chesnut, Audit Supervisor
P.O. Box 1604
Omaha, NE 68101

Include your name, address and contact phone number so they can contact you regarding obtaining the information.

#3. The Federal office for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/AboutWebsite/04_FOIA.asp

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs
Freedom of Information Group
Room N2-20-16
7500 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

Upon receipt of your request a reference number for you request will be sent along with a contact number to determine request status. You will be charged for the information. For costs above $250 you will be sent an invoice with their response

Download "A citizen's Guide to the Freedom of Information Act."

Contact Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services http://new.cms.hhs.gov/ContactCMS/

Contact Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Regional Offices: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/RegionalOffices/

#4. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations: This is a non-profit agency which accredits most hospitals. Summary of their findings are listed on their website.
However, the Joint Commission does not release their complete findings--See letter.
Website: http://www.jcaho.org/

July 2007: One would assume the Joint Commission reports deficiencies to the Federal office for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). However, CMS has not been able to locate these reports. The raises the question on the adequacy of Federal oversight of our healthcare. Letter from CMS unable to provide Joint Commission Report

Since this time a change in the Social Security Act allows for CMS to obtain Joint Commission Survey Results but these results are still barred from release to the public. Sec. 1865 [42 U.S.C. 1395bb} Effect of Accrediation