| (a) OO staff maintain a public website with OBH contact
information and develop brochures and other materials that can be
distributed to consumers seeking behavioral health services and health
care providers.
(b) In accordance with 25 TAC Chapter 404, Subchapter
E (relating to Rights of Persons Receiving Mental Health Services),
OBH's toll-free number is published in consumer rights handbooks made
available at all service locations at state hospitals or LBHAs or
LMHAs. Consumers at these facilities also have a right to be verbally
explained all of their rights -- including the right to complain to
OBH -- within 24 hours of admission. Additional situations that require
a state hospital or an LBHA or LMHA to notify a consumer of OBH's
contact information include:
(1) any time an LBHA or LMHA determines a consumer
is not in their priority population during the admission screening
process, as outlined in 26 TAC §306.161 (Screening and Assessment);
(2) any time an LBHA or LMHA determines a consumer
requesting interstate transfer is not eligible for admission to a
state hospital; and
(3) in each state hospital and LBHA or LMHA's "Notice
of Privacy Practice."
(c) A consumer, the consumer's LAR, or a health care
provider may contact OBH through the following methods:
(1) toll-free phone:
(A) 1-800-252-8154 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central
Standard Time, Monday through Friday); or
(B) 7-1-1 or 1-800-735-2989 for a person who has a
hearing or speech disability;
(2) toll-free fax: 1-888-780-8099;
(3) mail to HHS Office of the Ombudsman, Ombudsman
for Behavioral Health, P.O. Box 13247, Austin TX 78711-3247; or
(4) online at hhs.texas.gov/ombudsman.
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