Texas Notice to Clients: Access to Records & Complaints
In accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code § 181.105, Michelle Ramirez-Winget, M.Ed., LPC-S, NCC, LCDC provides the following instructions regarding your health records and your rights as a client.
1. How to Request Your Health Care Records
You have the right to access and receive copies of your health care records. To ensure the security of your Protected Health Information (PHI), Michelle Ramirez-Winget, M.Ed., LPC-S, NCC, LCDC requires that all record requests be submitted through our secure HIPAA-compliant portal. Requests for certain sensitive information, such as substance-use treatment or genetic data, may require additional explicit written consent under Texas law.
Instructions: Please log in to your Client Portal at Therapy Portal. Navigate to the messaging or documents section to submit your written request for records.
Timeline: In accordance with Texas law, we will respond to your request within 15 business days.
Fees: We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for the retrieval and copying of records as permitted by Texas Law.
2. Licensing and Disciplinary Authority
Our practitioners are licensed and regulated by the state of Texas. If you wish to verify a license or contact the licensing authority, please reach out to the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC):
Mailing Address: 1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300, Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: (512) 305-7700
Website: https://bhec.texas.gov
3. Filing a Client Complaint
If you have a complaint regarding the handling of your health records or your privacy rights under Section 181.103, you may file a complaint through the following channels:
State Regulatory Board: You may file a complaint directly with BHEC via their Online Complaint Portal.
Texas Attorney General: You may also file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General or by calling (800) 621-0508.