Mental Health HIPAA Information

On April 3, 2003, the Texas MHMR Board adopted new rules protecting the privacy of individuals who receive services in the TDMHMR service delivery system. The Protected Health Information (PHI) rules are codified in the Texas Administrative Code at Title 25, Chapter 414, Subchapter A, and are effective on April 23, 2003. The rules, together with Exhibit A (Interpretive Guidance on Laws Pertaining to Privacy of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Records for the TDMHMR Service Delivery System (PDF 344K)), combines the privacy requirements of HIPAA and Texas state laws on privacy.

TDMHMR's Notice of Privacy Practices (PDF 77K) describes how TDMHMR may use or disclose the health information of individuals who receive services from TDMHMR. It is also available in Spanish (PDF 81K). Paper copies of the Notice are available at all TDMHMR facilities. Medicaid Recipients may access the Medicaid Privacy Notice (PDF) at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission website.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the federal agency charged with improving services to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illness. It includes information about HIPAA on its website.

Last Updated August 1, 2005