Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Subject Matter List

Questions concerning the Freedom of Information Law or Personal Privacy Protection Law may be directed to the Committee on Open Government.

I. As required by the Freedom of Information Law, this Subject Matter List includes records in possession of the New York State Department of Health. Many of the records are available on the agency website and indexed to assist you in obtaining information from the Department.

Information and Documents Available for Review and/or Copying

  • An itemized record setting forth the name, public office address, title and salary of every officer or employee of the agency.
  • The Department's telephone directory

Manuals

  • Administrative Policy and Procedures Manual
  • Environmental Health Manual
  • Policy and Procedures Manual, Division of Health Facility Planning
  • Surveyor's Manual

Bulletins

  • Executive Memoranda
  • Information Bulletins
  • Department of Health Memoranda Series
  • Newsletters
  • Agenda and/or minutes of councils, boards, and committees including the State Hospital Review and Planning Council, Establishment Committee and the Public Health Council
  • Department Annual Reports
  • Department Adjudicatory Documents
  • Vital Statistics Summary Reports
  • Ambulance Services Directory
  • Final inspection and survey reports in connection with license, permit approval and supervisory functions of the Department

Miscellaneous

  • Department contracts when finalized
  • Department memoranda of understating when finalized
  • Ad Hoc reports or studies

Facilities Records

  • Health Facilities Data
    • Home Health and HMO fiscal and statistical reports
    • Rate computation sheets for Health Facilities including institutional cost reports, and rate determination data
    • Audit reports and appeals
    • Health Facilities surveillance reports (Statements of Deficiencies/Plans of Correction)
    • Health Facility establishment applications
    • Health Facility Certificate of Need applications

Program Records

  • Office of Health Insurance Programs
    • Medicaid enrollment data and statistics
    • Medicaid audit data and reports
    • Child Health Plus data
    • Managed Care Reports, certification and surveillance data
    • Facility compensation rates
  • Office of Long Term Care
    • Long term care facility surveillance reports, quality indicators and evaluation
    • Statement of Deficiencies for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice and home care
    • Licensure and certification data for residential services
  • Fiscal Management Group
    • Department fiscal data
    • Budget data
    • Purchasing and disbursements data
  • Information Systems and Health Statistics Group
    • Biometrics and health statistics data
    • Department technology systems data
  • Human Resources and Operations Management
    • Human resource and staff development data
    • Building and facilities data including communications
  • Division of Legal Affairs
    • General Counsel Opinions
    • Hearings and litigation information
    • Hearing transcripts
  • Wadsworth Center
    • Laboratory information
    • Clinical labs
    • Forensic labs
    • ELAP approved Potable water labs
    • Commercial labs with NYS approval for environmental analysis
    • Certified labs
    • Laboratory surveillance reports
    • List of radiological materials licenses
    • Records pertaining to licenses and registration of radiologic technologists
    • List of x-ray installations
    • List of radiation equipment facilities
  • Center for Environmental Health
    • List of water treatment facilities
    • List of public water supplies
    • Water data reports
    • List of migrant labor camps
    • List of children's camps
    • List of public swimming pools
    • List of temporary residences
    • Environmental health assessment data
    • Toxic substances assessment data
    • Environmental health investigation reports
  • AIDS Institute
    • HIV data
    • HIV education and prevention program data
  • Center for Community Health
    • Chronic disease prevention data
    • Tobacco control program data
    • Injury prevention data
    • Epidemiological data
    • Epidemiological surveillance reports
    • Sexually transmitted disease control data
    • Family health data
    • List of early intervention providers
    • Division of Nutrition program data including the supplemental food programs
  • Office of Health Systems Management
    • Hospital Statement of Deficiencies, Plan of Corrections and surveillance investigation reports
    • Article 28 facilities data
    • List of emergency medical service providers
    • Emergency services investigation reports
    • List of approved funeral home establishments
    • Health Systems Emergency Preparedness data
    • Office of Professional Medical Conduct data and reports
    • Patient safety program data

II. Confidential Reports Not Available for Inspection

  • Cancer statistics which could identify individuals
  • HIV patient data
  • Vital records (e.g.: marriage, birth, death certificates) An authorized party can obtain a copy via the Department's office of Vital Records
    • Note: Copies of birth or marriage certificates are not available under FOIL. Individuals may obtain their own records by contacting the Vital Records section of the New York State Department of Health, 733 Broadway, Albany, NY 12237-0023. Please be advised that birth certificates for individuals born in the New York City area are not on file with the New York State Department of Health and must be obtained from the New York City Department of Health, Vital Records, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013. Refer to agency website for additional information.
  • Laboratory test results confidential by statute
  • Patient records except for an authorized party
  • Information concerning applicants for and recipients of medical assistance
  • Subject matter pertaining to Quality Assurance conditions and Incident Reporting pursuant to Public Health Law §2805-m
  • Reports of patient and records of examination of TB patients
  • Information gathered during an investigation of alleged malpractice and/or alleged patient abuse by a physician pursuant to Public Health Law § 230