53-6-709. Legislative auditor -- oversight. (1) In order to prevent, detect, and eliminate fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct and to determine that the program is administered fairly and effectively, the legislative auditor shall oversee the managed care covered by this part.
     (2) A medical provider may not be compelled to provide individual medical records of patients unless the records are provided in accordance with the provisions of the Government Health Care Information Act. State and local governmental agencies shall provide the requested information, assistance, or cooperation.
     (3) All activities conducted by the legislative auditor must be conducted in a manner that ensures the preservation of evidence for use in criminal prosecutions. The legislative auditor may present for prosecution the findings of any activity to the office of the attorney general or to United States attorneys in Montana.
     (4) The legislative auditor shall report all convictions, terminations, and suspensions taken against vendors, contractors, and health care providers to the department and to any agency responsible for licensing or regulating those persons or entities.
     (5) The legislative auditor shall make periodic reports, findings, and recommendations regarding its oversight activities authorized by this section.
     (6) This part does not limit investigations by the department that may otherwise be required by law or that may be necessary in the department's capacity as the central administrative authority responsible for administration of public aid programs in this state.

     History: En. Sec. 9, Ch. 502, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 577, L. 1999.