(a) (1) During normal working hours, the department may make any examination of the books and records of, and may visit and inspect the premises or facilities of, those identified in paragraphs (2) and (3), that it may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) and regulations adopted thereunder, or the law under which the department or its agents or contractors administer any other health care program.

(2) Any applicant or provider, as defined in Section 14043.1, pertaining to services, goods, supplies, or merchandise rendered or supplied, directly or indirectly, or to be rendered or supplied, directly or indirectly, to any beneficiary under this chapter or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200).

(3) Any person or entity that provides services, goods, supplies, or merchandise, directly or indirectly, under, or seeks reimbursement from, any other health care program administered by the department or its agents or contractors.

(b) (1) Applicants, providers, or others receiving or seeking reimbursement under the Medi-Cal program or other health care programs administered by the department or its agents or contractors shall furnish information or copies of records and documentation upon request by the department. Unannounced visits to request this information shall be reserved for those exceptional situations where arrangement of an appointment beforehand is clearly not possible or is clearly inappropriate to the nature of the intended visit. Only those related books and records of each service rendered, the beneficiary to whom rendered, the date, and additional information as the department may by regulation require shall be subject to the requirement of furnishing copies. This information may include records to support and document the recipient’s eligibility for services and, to the extent necessary, records to provide proof of the quantity and receipt of the services, and that the services were provided by proper personnel. Providers and others subject to this section shall be reimbursed for reasonable photocopying-related expenses as determined by the department. Failure to comply with the requests for information or records made pursuant to this section shall be grounds for immediate suspension of the provider or others subject to this section under subdivision (b) of Section 14123 or under the other health care programs administered by the department or its agents or contractors.

(2) Any copies furnished pursuant to this section shall be used only to investigate and pursue criminal, civil, or administrative sanctions for Medi-Cal fraud or abuse, including the provision of dental services that are below or less than the standard of acceptable quality as prescribed by subdivision (f) of Section 14123, or fraud or abuse under any other health care program administered by the department or its agents or contractors and the copies shall be destroyed when that purpose has been satisfied. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the referral of investigative findings, including copies of books and records, to the appropriate federal, state, or local licensing, certifying, regulatory, or prosecutorial authority.

(c) For purposes of this section and Section 14124.1, “provider” shall be defined as follows:

(1) “Provider” shall have the meaning contained in Section 14043.1.

(2) “Provider” shall also include any person or entity under contract with the provider, as defined in paragraph (1), to assist in the application process or eligibility determination.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 322, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 2001.)