Sec. 9.
(1) Correspondence between the ombudsman and a complainant is confidential and is privileged communication.
(2) A report prepared and recommendations made by the ombudsman and submitted to the council under section 10 and any record of the ombudsman are exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
(3) All records, reports, and communications relied upon, referenced, or prepared are subject to the privacy provisions of the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996, Public Law 104-191, and regulations promulgated under that act, 45 CFR parts 160 and 164.
History: 2016, Act 198, Eff. Sept. 20, 2016