SECTION 87.405. Contact Information

(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: [phone];

(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.

Source Note: The provisions of this §87.405 adopted to be effective January 10, 2019, 44 TexReg 252; amended to be effective December 21, 2022, 47 TexReg 8273