[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR401.144]

[Page 18-19]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
                    CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE
                          & MEDICAID SERVICES,
                        DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
                             HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 401_GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart B_Confidentiality and Disclosure
 
Sec.  401.144  Denial of requests.

    (a) General authority. Only the Director, Office of Public Affairs, 
CMS, and the Regional Directors of Public Affairs, HHS, are authorized 
to deny written requests to obtain, inspect or copy any CMS information 
or record.
    (b) Forms of denials. (1) Oral requests may be dealt with orally, 
but the requester should be advised that the oral response is not an 
official determination and that an official determination may be 
obtained only by submitting the request in writing. Appropriate 
available assistance will be offered.
    (2) Written Requests--Denials of written requests will be in writing 
and will contain the reasons for the denial

[[Page 19]]

including, as appropriate, a statement that a document requested is 
nonexistent or not reasonably described or is subject to one or more 
clearly described exemption(s). Denials will also provide the requester 
with appropriate information on how to exercise the right of appeal.