State of Wisconsin
Department of Health Services

HISTORY

The policy on this page is from a previous version of the handbook. 

23-02 Version of 19.1 Applicant and Member Access Rights

19.1.1 Introduction

An applicant or member has the right to see their entire case record to verify that its content is accurate with respect to their statements and that documentation of facts about them from other sources is correct.

When an applicant or member requests access to the record for reasons not related to preparation for a fair hearing, the agency does not have to show them the entire record. The agency can show the applicant or member only the parts of the record relevant to the request. 

19.1.2 Fair Hearings

Agencies cannot withhold any part of the record from the applicant or member when they are preparing for a fair hearing (see SECTION 23.2.3 PRIOR TO THE HEARING).

19.1.3 Sensitive Medical Information

The Confidential Information Release Authorization to Agency (F-82009) form does not promise the medical reporting source that information won't be revealed to the person if they request to see it. In most cases, the applicant or member has direct access to the information.

Agencies may determine, in some cases, that the requested medical information is of a "sensitive" nature and that its release directly to the applicant or member may not be in their best interest. When this occurs, the agency can request that the applicant or member name, in writing, a representative. This representative may be a physician or other responsible person (for example, a clergyman or attorney). The agency will release the requested information to the representative with the instruction that they review it and inform the applicant or member of the content at the representative's discretion.

Agencies must retain the applicant or member’s authorization to release this information to their representative in the case record.

19.1.4 Access by Someone Else

An applicant or member may authorize someone else to act on their behalf in gaining access to their case record. This authorized entity has the same right of access to the case record as that of the applicant or member. 

This authorized entity can be an attorney but does not need to be an attorney. The applicant or member must complete a release of information form, such as F-02340, if the entity is not an attorney. The applicant or member does not need to complete a release of information form to authorize their attorney to access their case record. The agency can request proof of the attorney’s licensure if the person’s statement that they are an attorney is questionable. 

Note A person or entity who is already known on the Medicaid case as a legal guardian, conservator, power of attorney, or authorized representative can access the case record. They do not need additional authorization to access the case record (see Section 22.5 Legal Guardians, Power of Attorney, and Other Representatives). 

This page last updated in Release Number: 23-02
Release Date: 04/17/2023
Effective Date: 04/17/2023


The information concerning the Medicaid program provided in this handbook release is published in accordance with: Titles XI and XIX of the Social Security Act; Parts 430 through 481 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations; Chapters 46 and 49 of the Wisconsin Statutes; and Chapters HA 3, DHS 2, 10 and 101 through 109 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Notice: The content within this manual is the sole responsibility of the State of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS). This site will link to sites outside of DHS where appropriate. DHS is in no way responsible for the content of sites outside of DHS.

Publication Number: P-10030