Sec. 531.0318. LONG-TERM CARE CONSUMER INFORMATION MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE INTERNET. (a) The Internet site maintained under Section 531.0317 must include information for consumers concerning long-term care services that complies with this section. The Internet site maintained by the Department of Aging and Disability Services must also include, or provide a link to, the information required by this section.

(b) The information for consumers required by this section must:

(1) be presented in a manner that is easily accessible to, and understandable by, a consumer; and

(2) allow a consumer to make informed choices concerning long-term care services and include:

(A) an explanation of the manner in which long-term care service delivery is administered in different counties through different programs operated by the commission and by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, so that an individual can easily understand the service options available in the area in which that individual lives; and

(B) for the Star + Plus Medicaid managed care program, information that allows a consumer to evaluate the performance of each participating plan issuer, including for each issuer, in an accessible format such as a table:

(i) the enrollment in each county;

(ii) additional "value-added" services provided;

(iii) a summary of the financial statistical report required under Subchapter A, Chapter 533;

(iv) complaint information;

(v) any sanction or penalty imposed by any state agency, including a sanction or penalty imposed by the commission or the Texas Department of Insurance;

(vi) information concerning consumer satisfaction; and

(vii) other data, including relevant data from reports of external quality review organizations, that may be used by the consumer to evaluate the quality of the services provided.

(c) In addition to providing the information required by this section through the Internet, the commission or the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall, on request by a consumer without Internet access, provide the consumer with a printed copy of the information from the website. The commission or department may charge a reasonable fee for printing the information. The executive commissioner shall establish the fee by rule.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 759 (S.B. 705), Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 2009.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 2.076, eff. April 2, 2015.