Patient Rights, Medical Records & Consumer Complaints
This page provides information for current and former patients regarding medical records requests, patient privacy rights under HIPAA, limits of confidentiality, and how to contact state oversight agencies or file a consumer complaint, as required by Texas law.
Practice Scope & Services Overview
Neuropsychological & Specialty Evaluation Services
This practice is a specialty psychological practice focused on evaluation-based services. We do not provide psychotherapy or ongoing treatment services, and we do not bill medical insurance.
Most services provided by this practice consist of psychological and neuropsychological evaluations, many of which are court-ordered or requested for legal or administrative purposes. Depending on the nature of the referral, evaluations are typically paid for by the court, the requesting agency or by the individual evaluated.
In addition to court-ordered and agency-requested evaluations, we offer private neuropsychological and psychological evaluations on a limited basis. These evaluations are:
Self-pay only
Not submitted to insurance
Designed to be more comprehensive and individualized than evaluations typically authorized by insurance plans
Fees for private neuropsychological evaluations begin at $900, depending on the scope of assessment.
These evaluations are often sought by individuals who:
Are seeking a second opinion
Want a more nuanced or detailed diagnostic picture
Prefer a private evaluation that is not automatically entered into insurance or employer-related systems
All services are provided in compliance with applicable laws. Privacy protections and limits of confidentiality vary depending on the purpose of the evaluation, as described elsewhere on this page.
Requesting Your Medical Records
Patients have the right to request access to their health care records in accordance with Texas law and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
To request medical records, please submit a written request that includes:
Patient’s full legal name
Date of birth
Contact information
A signed authorization for release of records
Requests may be submitted by:
FAX: 940 761 9704
Email: newleafbehavioralhealth@gmail.com
Mail: 719 Scott Avenue, Suite 400, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Medical records requests are processed in accordance with applicable state and federal law. Reasonable fees may apply as permitted by statute. Requests are fulfilled within the legally required time frames.
HIPAA Privacy & Patient Rights
Our practice complies with HIPAA and applicable Texas privacy laws governing the use, disclosure, and protection of protected health information (PHI).
In general:
Information obtained during treatment is confidential
Records are disclosed only as permitted or required by law
Patients have the right to access their records, request amendments, and receive an accounting of disclosures
A full Notice of Privacy Practices is available upon request.
Limits of Confidentiality & Non-Treatment Evaluations
Confidentiality is not absolute and may be limited by law.
Certain psychological services provided by this practice are not treatment services and do not create a traditional doctor-patient or therapist-patient relationship. These include court-ordered, forensic, and administrative evaluations.
Court-Ordered & Forensic Evaluations
When an evaluation is ordered by a court or conducted for legal or forensic purposes:
The evaluation is not confidential in the same manner as a typical therapeutic relationship
No therapist-patient privilege is established
Findings, reports, and records may be disclosed to the court, attorneys, or other designated parties as required by law or court order
HIPAA and state privacy laws still apply, but disclosures are governed by the court order and applicable legal authority
Access to Court-Ordered Reports
Court-ordered forensic reports cannot be released directly to the client without authorization from the presiding judge
In most cases, forensic records cannot be released until the legal case has been completed
A client’s attorney may obtain copies of court-ordered reports through appropriate legal channels and may choose to share those records with the client
For this reason, individuals seeking copies of court-ordered evaluations are generally advised to request records through their attorney, rather than directly from this practice.
State & Federal Agency-Requested Evaluations
In some circumstances, this practice conducts evaluations at the request of state or federal agencies for administrative or benefits determinations rather than for treatment purposes.
When an evaluation is requested and paid for by an agency:
The resulting report is generally owned by the requesting agency
The report is prepared for the agency’s use and decision-making purposes
Disclosure and distribution are governed by the requesting agency’s policies and applicable law
Although copies of these reports may be released to the individual evaluated, it is often most efficient to request records directly from the requesting agency, as they control the official release of the report.
Examples of requesting agencies may include:
Texas Workforce Commission
Social Security Administration (e.g., disability determinations)
Access by Health Care Providers
In many cases, a patient’s current health care provider may request copies of agency-requested evaluations for continuity of care or medical decision-making.
Health care providers may submit a records request through their office
Appropriate authorization and verification are required
Release remains subject to agency policies and applicable law
Contacting the Health Care Regulation Council
Consumers may contact the Texas Health and Human Services Health Care Regulation Council with questions or concerns regarding licensed health care providers:
Health Care Regulation Council
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/about/contact-us
Filing a Consumer Complaint
Consumers may file a complaint regarding health care services with the Texas Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division:
Office of the Attorney General of Texas
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection
Our Commitment
We are committed to ethical practice, transparency, patient rights, and full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.