Tessa Quinn
If you have experienced hospital negligence in Texas, there are several avenues for filing a complaint. The Health Facility Compliance Unit at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is the primary agency for ensuring that hospitals and health facilities provide safe and responsible care. The HHSC investigates claims of improper hospital billing and alleged violations of state and federal nursing home standards. Additionally, you can bring your concerns directly to the hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and social workers, who may be able to resolve your issue. If your complaint pertains to the quality of care received from a Medicare provider, you can submit a complaint to your Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO). It is also recommended to consult an attorney who can guide you in determining the best course of action for your specific situation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who to report to | Health Facility Compliance Unit at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) |
| Address | Health and Human Services Commission Complaint and Incident Intake Mail Code E-249 P.O. Box 149030 Austin, Texas 78714-9030 |
| Phone number | 1-800-458-9858 |
| Online | Visit Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) online |
| Types of complaints handled | Claims of improper hospital billing, alleged violations of state and federal nursing home standards, concerns about the quality of care from a Medicare provider (e.g. getting the wrong medication, having the wrong surgery or treatment, or getting discharged too early), concerns about patient rights, and complaints about hospital safety and security practices |
| Other recommendations | Bring your concerns to the relevant doctor or nurse as soon as possible, ask to speak to a hospital social worker, contact your state's Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO), consider hiring an attorney |
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What You'll Learn
Report to Health Facility Compliance Unit at Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
If you wish to report hospital negligence in Texas, one option is to file a complaint with the Health Facility Compliance Unit at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The HHSC is responsible for ensuring that hospitals and health facilities provide safe and responsible care, and it also investigates claims of improper hospital billing.
Before filing a complaint with the HHSC, it is recommended that you first bring your concerns directly to the relevant parties within the hospital. Speak to your doctor, nurses, or a hospital social worker, and be as specific as possible about your issue. They may be able to resolve your issue or direct you to the appropriate resources. If you are still dissatisfied, you can then proceed to file a formal complaint with the HHSC.
To file a complaint with the HHSC's Health Facility Compliance Unit, you can submit your complaint in writing to the following address:
Health and Human Services Commission
Complaint and Incident Intake
Mail Code E-249
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, TX 78714-9030
Alternatively, you can contact the HHSC by calling 1-800-458-9858. When filing your complaint, be sure to include as many specific details as possible, such as the dates, times, names of individuals involved, and a clear description of the incident(s).
It is important to note that the HHSC is not the only avenue for addressing hospital negligence. Depending on the nature of your complaint, other organizations may be better equipped to handle your specific concerns. For example, if your complaint pertains to Medicare billing or discharge decisions, you can file an appeal or complaint with Medicare or your state's Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO).
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Contact a hospital social worker
In Texas, hospital social workers are critical partners in protecting and ensuring the safety of vulnerable adults. They work alongside Adult Protective Services (APS) to find solutions for adults in need, allowing them to live healthier and safer lives with dignity. Hospital social workers help families locate community resources, assist in crisis interventions, provide counseling, educate families on their child's diagnosis, and respond to the unique needs of families.
To contact a hospital social worker in Texas, you can refer to the following methods:
- Calling the hospital page operator: You can reach out to the hospital social worker by calling the dedicated phone number provided by the hospital. For example, at Texas Children's Hospital, you can contact the hospital page operator at 832-824-2099 to reach a social worker 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Inpatient Floor or Specialty Clinic Assignment: Hospital social workers are often assigned to specific inpatient floors or specialty clinics within the hospital. To locate the social worker assigned to your child's specialty clinic or inpatient floor, you can call the hospital's main phone number or refer to the hospital's website or directory.
- Fax Communication: In some cases, you may be able to contact the social work department or team within the hospital via fax. This method is typically used for sending documents or written correspondence and may not be as immediate as a phone call.
- Online Resources: Many hospitals in Texas have websites that provide information about their social work services. You can search for the hospital's name or visit their website to locate the social work department's contact information, including email addresses, phone numbers, and office locations.
- Referrals and Collaborations: Hospital social workers often collaborate with various organizations and professionals, such as mental health providers, law enforcement, and homeless shelters. If you are already connected with one of these partner organizations, you can inquire about contacting a hospital social worker through their referral process.
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File a complaint with the Joint Commission
If you wish to file a complaint with the Joint Commission, you can do so by mail. The address is: Office of Quality and Patient Safety, The Joint Commission, One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181, USA.
You can also download the form for reporting a patient safety concern on the Joint Commission's website. It is recommended that you talk to the organization about your concern before filing a formal complaint. The Joint Commission's central office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.
Please note that the Joint Commission cannot accept copies of medical records, photos, billing invoices, or other related personal information. These documents will be shredded upon receipt.
If you wish to file a complaint with the state of Texas about a hospital or medical facility, you can do so through the Health Facility Compliance Unit at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This is the agency responsible for ensuring that hospitals and health facilities provide safe and responsible care. You can contact HHSC by mail at the following address: Health and Human Services Commission Complaint and Incident Intake, Mail Code E-249, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, TX 78714-9030. You can also call them at 1-800-458-9858.
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File an appeal about a discharge
If you believe you are being discharged from a hospital in Texas prematurely, you have the right to request an expedited, or "fast", appeal. This process can be used to challenge decisions about Medicare-covered services. It's important to act quickly, as there are strict deadlines for filing a fast appeal.
Firstly, you should receive a notice titled "An Important Message from Medicare about Your Rights" within two days of your admission to the hospital. This notice will explain your rights as a patient, and you should receive another copy up to two days before your discharge, and no later than four hours before. If you do not receive this notice, ask your provider for it.
This notice will contain instructions on how to file an expedited appeal. It will also contain information on your appeal rights and how to contact the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care-Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) in your state. The BFCC-QIO is an independent reviewer that will decide whether you should remain in the hospital or continue receiving Medicare-covered services.
You can file your appeal by telephone or in writing, and you may submit medical records or a letter from your healthcare provider to support your appeal. If you make your request for an appeal before the deadline, you can remain in the hospital while you wait for the BFCC-QIO's decision, without incurring additional costs (except for applicable coinsurance or deductibles).
If you miss the deadline for a fast appeal, you can still request a fast reconsideration from your plan, but services will only be covered if the decision is in your favour. Different rules and timeframes will apply, and you may be responsible for the cost of your hospital stay beyond the original discharge date.
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Contact Texas State Board of Dental Examiners for issues with dentists
If you have an issue with a dentist in Texas, you can contact the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). The TSBDE is a regulatory agency responsible for overseeing and regulating the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene within the state. Its primary mission is to protect the public by ensuring that dental professionals meet and maintain high standards of competence and ethical conduct.
The TSBDE provides enforcement, licensing, peer assistance, and related information services to licensees and their patients. Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants must obtain licenses through the TSBDE before working in these professions. The Board also establishes requirements for continuing education to ensure that licensed professionals stay up-to-date with advances in the field.
If you have a complaint about a dentist, it is recommended that you hire an attorney to assist you in the process. The TSBDE takes complaints and allegations of misconduct or violations of dental practice laws and regulations very seriously. The Board will investigate these claims and take disciplinary action when necessary. This can include warnings, fines, license suspension, or revocation, depending on the severity of the violation.
To ensure competence and ethical conduct among dental professionals, the TSBDE may gather additional evidence during the investigation phase, such as patient records, billing records, and interviews with involved parties. If the allegation involves patient care, the case goes to the Dental Review Panel, which determines whether a standard of care violation has occurred. All findings of violations are then sent to the TSBDE Legal Division to determine if disciplinary action is warranted.
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Frequently asked questions
You can file a complaint with the Health Facility Compliance Unit at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
You can reach the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) by calling 1-800-458-9858 or by mail at the following address: Health and Human Services Commission Complaint and Incident Intake, Mail Code E-249, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, TX 78714-9030.
The HHSC ensures that hospitals and health facilities provide safe and responsible care and can investigate claims of improper hospital billing and alleged violations of state and federal nursing home standards.
It is recommended that you bring your concerns to the relevant doctors and nurses as soon as possible and ask how your complaint can be resolved. You can also ask to speak to a hospital social worker who can help solve problems and identify resources.
If your complaint involves a licensed dentist, you should review the Texas State Board of Dental Examiner's website. If your complaint involves an insurance company, you should review the website for the Texas Department of Insurance to learn how to file a provider complaint about health claim payments.
