Overview
The Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law Article 6) (FOIL) grants members of the public access to records maintained by government agencies in accordance with its provisions. The Personal Privacy Protection Law (Public Officers Law Article 6-a) relates to disclosure of personal information maintained by state agencies. The Records Access Officer is responsible for ensuring appropriate agency response to public requests for access to records.
"Record" means any information kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced by, with, or for the office, in any physical form whatsoever including, but not limited to, reports, statements, examinations, memoranda, opinions, folders, files, books, manuals, pamphlets, forms, papers, designs, drawings, maps, photos, letters, microfilms, computer tapes or disks, rules, regulations or codes.
Please note that FOIL does not require OMIG to do research for you, analyze data, answer written questions, or create a record not possessed or maintained by it in response to your request.
For more information about FOIL and the Personal Privacy Protection Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6-A), please visit the New York State Committee on Open Government’s website.
Submit a FOIL Request
Mail a written request to:
Records Access Office
NYS OMIG
800 North Pearl Street
Albany, New York 12204
Email a written request to: [email protected]
In-person records requests: In-person inspection and copying is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 800 North Pearl Street, Albany NY 12204. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling (518) 408-5845.
Please note: OMIG charges the statutorily permitted fee of $.25 per page for photocopies of records requested under FOIL (Public Officers Law §87[1][b][iii]). Additional fees may apply as permitted by law. There is no provision in law or regulation requiring a waiver of this fee. Payment must be made to the office by check or money order. Payment should not be submitted until you are notified that your request is granted and informed of the charge for your request.
Right to Appeal
If you have been denied access to a record requested under FOIL, you will be notified in writing by the Records Access Office. You may, within 30 days of notification, submit a written appeal of a denial. An appeal must be filed in writing and mailed or emailed to:
Records Access Appeals Officer
NYS Office of the Medicaid Inspector General
800 North Pearl Street
Albany, New York 12204
Email: [email protected]
Subject Matter List
OMIG’s Subject Matter Listing of Records contains a current list by subject matter of all records in the possession of OMIG, whether or not available under the Freedom of Information Law.
Frequently Requested FOIL Records
Procurement Contracts and Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
Helpful Tips
For more information about FOIL, please visit the New York State Committee on Open Government's website.
When submitting a FOIL request:
- Be as specific as possible in describing the requested records. Include relevant dates, names, descriptions, case numbers, etc. See suggested language for a FOIL request from the Committee on Open Government.
- If records are available, specify how you want them sent, i.e., via US mail, e-mail or fax. We may choose to send the records by U.S. mail, if you have requested a large volume of records, for security or other important reasons. We will notify you of any charge for reproducing such records before they are sent to you.
- Include your e-mail, mailing address and fax number, as well as a telephone number where you can be reached during business hours, if it is necessary to clarify your request.
Please note that the agency is not required to create a new record in response to FOIL requests.