This is a clone of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) for educational purposes. It is not the official version and should not be used for legal purposes. Site created Wed, 21 May 2025 21:16:35 GMT
(a) Telephone system access. A comprehensive provider agency must ensure the availability of a telephone system that allows individuals to contact the comprehensive provider agency through a toll-free number that must:(1) be answered by a person without being answered by telephone answering equipment at least on business days during normal business hours, except:(A) on national holidays;(B) due to uncontrollable interruption of service; or(C) with prior approval of HHSC;(2) have sufficient staff to operate efficiently;(3) collect, document, and store detailed information, including special needs information, on all telephone inquiries and calls;(4) during times other than those described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, provide electronic call answering methods that:(A) include an outgoing message providing a toll-free crisis hotline telephone number in languages relevant to the service area; and(B) allows callers to leave a message; and(5) return routine calls before the end of the next business day for all messages left during non-business hours.(b) Crisis services access during non-business hours. The comprehensive provider agency must assist individuals in their care to access crisis services outside of business hours by documenting in each individual's recovery/treatment plan:(1) how the individual will access emergency medical and psychiatric crisis services during non-business hours;(2) a list of all crisis resources that are easily accessible to the individual; and(3) the toll-free telephone number to access crisis services.