Public disclosure requests

What type of requests can I make?

There are two types of records requests you can make:

Request for public disclosure

Records about HCA's operations and programs. For public records requests, please provide:

• Contact information (name, address, email, telephone) 
• Description/information about the records you're seeking (such as locations, dates, specific names, subject, etc.)

Request for client records

Records related to a specific HCA client. For client records requests, please provide:

• Full name
• Date of birth or Social Security number (SSN)
• Authorization for Release of Information form, if applicable

Request for information

Find information on how to submit a research request for data related to clients or other specific pieces of data on the Washington State Institutional Review Board (WSIRB).

Request for data

• Most health care claims data is exempt from disclosure under Chapter 42.56 RCW.
• To submit a data request, contact HCA Data Governance. For more information, visit Data at HCA.
• For health enrollment reports, legislative reports, budget information, and agency data dashboards, visit Data and reports.

Contracting opportunities

Visit Bids and contracts for information about contracting opportunities with HCA and to view current requests for application (RFA), requests for information (RFI), and requests for proposals (RFP).

HCA budget information

See Budget information.

How do I submit a request?

HCA accepts requests through our public disclosure request portal, secure voicemail, email, in-person, mail, or fax.

Online

To submit a request online, visit the public disclosure request portal.

By phone

To make a request by phone, call 1-844-284-2148.

When you call, please have the following information available:

• Contact information (name, address, email, telephone) 
• Description/information about the records you're seeking (such as locations, dates, specific names, subject, etc.)

By email, in-person, mail, or fax

To make a request through email, in-person, mail, or fax:

1. Download and complete the appropriate form:

• Request for public disclosure (pdf)
• Request for client records (pdf)

1. Submit either request using any of the following methods:​

• Email: HCA Public Disclosure
• In-person: 
  Cherry Street Plaza
  626 8th Ave
  Olympia, WA 98501
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Mail:
  P.O. Box 42704
  Olympia WA 98504-2704
• Fax: 360-507-9068

For us to respond as quickly as possible, please provide as much information about the records as possible.

If you have questions or difficulties filling out the request forms, please reach out to 1-855-682-0787.

Is there a fee to submit a request?

No. There is no fee required to submit a request. However, you may be charged copy fees for public records, responsive to your request.

Find information about the types of fees charged for public records.

How long will it take?

We will acknowledge your request within five (5) business days and provide the records—or provide you with an estimate of the time we need to search for and produce the records.

Records requests must be identifiable records. If the Public Disclosure Unit cannot identify the records, we will reach out for additional clarification.

Can my request be denied?

Yes. We carefully evaluate requests for public records to determine if we can legally release the records for the reasons given. If we must deny your request, we will send you an explanation of why the request was denied and list the specific law that exempts the records from disclosure.

Certain types of information about the Health Care Authority’s (HCA) clients cannot be made available. To find out more about patient and client privacy protections under federal law, visit HCA's privacy page.

How can I make sure my personal representative has access to my health information?

You must provide HCA with a copy of a valid power of attorney or a completed Authorization for Release of Information form naming your representative and authorizing him or her to access your medical records and exercise your rights under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.