how to report hospital patient care texas

If you want to file a complaint with the state about a hospital or medical facility in Texas, consider hiring an attorney. An attorney can help you figure out the best course of action to have your complaint handled properly. File a complaint with the Health Facility Compliance Group at the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Full Answer

How do I report a hospital infection?

Clinicians are often legally required to report specific diseases, including some hospital infections, to their local (city) Department of Public Health which will accept the report, conduct an investigation, possibly complete laboratory testing and make recommendations to control an outbreak or improve patient safety.

What to do if you have questions about a hospital bill?

When you get your hospital bill: First, ask your doctor or the hospital's billing department to explain the charges. Find out how the hospital handles complaints about bills, and make your case. If you still have questions, you should contact the Medicare carrier that handles billing issues for your Medicare program.

How can I complain about poor medical care in a hospital?

How can I complain about poor medical care I received in a hospital? While you are in the hospital: If possible, first bring your complaints to your doctor and nurses. Be as specific as you can 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.

Do you need a license to run a hospital in Texas?

Texas law requires certain types of health care facilities to be licensed in order to provide services. The licensing procedure varies according to facility type and may include application review, fees, architectural and life safety code approval, and initial on-site surveys. .

What agency oversees hospitals in Texas?

File a complaint with the Health Facility Compliance Group at the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). This is the agency ensuring that hospitals and health facilities are providing safe, responsible care.

How do I complain about hospital negligence?

How can you make a complaint about your treatment?The first option is often to use the complaints procedure of the hospital or general practice surgery where you were treated.Alternatively, you can contact the Health Service Ombudsman or the regulatory body of the professional involved.More items...•

How do I file a complaint with the Texas Medical Board?

How to File a Complaint with the Medical BoardCall to have a Complaint Form mailed to you either through the toll-free line (1-800-633-2322) or by calling (916) 263-2424, OR.Use the On-line Complaint Form, OR.Download and Print a Complaint Form.

How do I report a provider in Texas?

How can I report a complaint regarding a physician, physician assistant or acupuncturist? Call the Texas Medical Board at 800-201-9353 or file a complaint online .

What is classed as medical negligence?

Medical negligence is substandard care that's been provided by a medical professional to a patient, which has directly caused injury or caused an existing condition to get worse. There's a number of ways that medical negligence can happen such as misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment or surgical mistakes.

Who do you contact about hospital negligence?

You can contact us by telephone on our Freephone number 0800 368 0412.

What does the Texas Medical Board do?

The mission of the Texas Medical Board is to protect and enhance the public's health, safety and welfare by establishing and maintaining standards of excellence used in regulating the practice of medicine and ensuring quality health care for the citizens of Texas through licensure, discipline, and education.

How do I report a nurse in Texas?

In addition, you may request a complaint form be sent to you by calling the Texas Board of Nursing at (512) 305-6838 or the Health Professions Council Complaint Line at 1-800-821-3205, or you may simply write out your complaint on plain paper.

Which of the following must a physician report to the medical board within 30 days?

Once your registration expires, you have a thirty 30-day grace period to renew your registration without penalty. Your arrest record is made public by the Medical Board. Each time you are arrested, you must immediately report the arrest to the Board.

How do I file a complaint against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas?

How to File a Complaint With Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX)Call Medicaid Managed Care Helpline at 1-866-566-8989 (toll free).Online: Online Submission Form.Mail: Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Office of the Ombudsman, MC H-700. P.O. Box 13247. ... Fax: 1-888-780-8099 (toll-free)

Who regulates rehabilitation facilities in Texas?

Nursing homes and other long-term care providers are regulated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities (DADS). DADS licenses and inspects these facilities, which must meet stringent health and safety standards to maintain their good standing to provide long-term care in Texas.

How do I report a therapist in Texas?

Anyone who wishes to file a complaint against a healthcare professional in this state may call the Health Professions Council toll-free complaint referral system: 1-800-821-3205. This automated, statewide number routes a complainant to the appropriate licensing agency.

How long does it take to report cancer in Texas?

Due to reporting requirements of the CDC and TCR, all records must be submitted within six months of initial diagnosis or admission with active disease and/or treatment ...

Does TCR monitor cancer cases?

To assure timely and complete cancer case reporting in Texas, TCR staff routinely monitor submissions of case reports from hospitals. If submissions are not received in a complete and timely manner according to state law and rules, the facility registrar or reporter will be contacted by TCR staff regarding the delinquent reporting status. If you have any questions, please contact your TCR Regional Office staff for additional information.

Accreditation

Hospitals may be accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations or the American Osteopathic Association.

Applying for an Initial General Hospital License

The staff of the Facility Licensing Group is responsible for licensing hospitals. The Architectural Review Group is responsible for conducting plan reviews and construction inspections of new and existing hospitals. Contact information for the zone offices is available by finding your zone (PDF) and then locating the contact info for zone offices.

Medicare Information

Hospitals may be certified to participate in the federal Medicare program. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services directs state health agencies or other appropriate agencies to determine if health care entities meet federal standards. This helping function is termed "provider certification."

Program Contact Information

Mailing Address: Texas Health and Human Services Regulatory Services Division, Enforcement Unit P.O. Box 149347 Austin, Texas 78714-9347

What are some examples of quality of care complaints?

Some common examples of quality of care complaints include: Receiving the wrong medication in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF) Receiving unnecessary surgery/diagnostic testing. Receiving an overdose of medication. Experiencing a delay in service. Receiving inadequate care or treatment by a Medicare hospital or doctor.

How to file a complaint with Medicare?

People can also file insurance plan-specific complaints by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE.

How to file a complaint with the Joint Commission?

Patients can submit a complaint to The Joint Commission by e-mail at complaint@jointcommission.org. Your e-mail should include the name and address of the hospital, and a thorough explanation of your complaint.

What is the hospital licensing division?

Many state health departments have a hospital licensing division that is responsible for ensuring health care facilities comply with state laws and regulations. Patients can register complaints with the hospital licensing division and trained personnel will conduct an investigation and issue a report. Patients should check with their state health departments for information on how to file complaints with the hospital licensing division.

What is the Joint Commission?

The Joint Commission – formerly called the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, or JCAHO—is a private, non-profit group that acts as a national accrediting organization for a great number of hospitals in the country.

What is the role of the state health department?

State Health Departments. Each state has a Department of Public Health that works to ensure the health and safety of its residents. Clinicians are often legally required to report specific diseases, including some hospital infections, to their local (city) Department of Public Health which will accept the report, conduct an investigation, ...

Does Medicare have a complaint right?

Every Medicare beneficiary has the right to file a complaint, or to register a concern about their health care or health care provider. Patients and their advocates should realize that they have this right and know how to reach the entity that can take action on their complaints.

What to do if you are discharged before you're ready?

If you are discharged before you're ready: This is a big concern for many patients because insurers balk at long hospital stay s. Talk to the hospital discharge planner (often a social worker) if you don't think you're medically ready to leave the hospital. The discharge planner will take your concerns to the doctor who makes this decision.

What do social workers do when patients leave the hospital?

Social workers also organize services and paperwork when patients leave the hospital. If you are covered by Medicare, you can file a complaint about your care with your State's Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) . These groups act on behalf of Medicare to address complaints about care provided to people covered by Medicare.

How long does it take to appeal a hospital discharge?

You should get a form from the hospital titled "An Important Message from Medicare," which explains how to appeal a hospital discharge decision. Appeals are free and generally resolved in 2 to 3 days. The hospital cannot discharge you until the appeal is completed.

What do you do if you get an infection in the hospital?

If you get an infection while you are in the hospital or have problems getting the right medication, you can file a complaint with the Joint Commission . This group certifies many U.S. hospitals' safety and security practices and looks into complaints about patients' rights. It does not oversee medical care or how the hospital may bill you.

How to find out what other patients have to say about their recent hospital stays?

To find out what other patients had to say about their recent hospital stays, visit the Hospital Compare Web site. You'll find answers from patients about how well doctors and nurses communicated, how well patients' pain was controlled, and how patients rated their hospital.

How to complain about poor care in a hospital?

How can I complain about poor medical care I received in a hospital? While you are in the hospital: If possible, first bring your complaints to your doctor and nurses. Be as specific as you can 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.

Can a hospital discharge you until appeal is completed?

The hospital cannot discharge you until the appeal is completed. When you get your hospital bill: First, ask your doctor or the hospital's billing department to explain the charges. Find out how the hospital handles complaints about bills, and make your case. If you still have questions, you should contact the Medicare carrier ...

What is improper care?

Improper care or unsafe conditions. You may have a complaint about improper care (like claims of abuse to a nursing home resident) or unsafe conditions (like water damage or fire safety concerns). To file a complaint about improper care or unsafe conditions in a hospital, home health agency, hospice, or nursing home, ...

How to file an appeal with Medicare?

For questions about a specific service you got, look at your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or log into your secure Medicare account . You can file an appeal if you disagree with a coverage or payment decision made by one of these: 1 Medicare 2 Your Medicare health plan 3 Your Medicare drug plan