1. (a) Utilization of THSteps services is voluntary. Acceptance or refusal of THSteps services does not affect eligibility for or receipt of any other Medicaid service, or for future THSteps services.
2. (b) All THSteps records about clients are considered confidential information, in accordance with the standards and requirements described in §33.30 of this title (relating to Confidentiality of Records).
3. (c) Clients have a right to consent to or refuse treatment and actively participate in treatment decisions, including the right to refuse follow-up care or treatment recommended by the provider.

4. (d) THSteps clients are entitled to receive:

   1. (1) medical and dental services when informed consent is given, including check-ups that are due as described in §33.41 of this title (relating to Periodicity of Medical and Dental Check-ups);
   2. (2) services free from abuse or harm from the provider or the provider's staff; and
   3. (3) only medically necessary treatment which meets professionally recognized standards of health care.

Source Note:The provisions of this §256.20 adopted to be effective February 28, 2008, 33 TexReg 1550; transferred effective April 30, 2025, as published in the March 28, 2025, issue of the Texas Register, 50 TexReg 2235.