Texas House Bill HB1738

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to telehealth and home telemonitoring services, including the provision of those services under Medicaid.

Impact

By introducing provisions for an enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rate for home telemonitoring services, HB1738 aims to reduce barriers to accessing care for patients who require ongoing medical monitoring. The bill also mandates data collection from service providers for analytical purposes, which could lead to improved service delivery and oversight. The focus on chronic pediatric patients shows a commitment to better health outcomes through proactive management, potentially easing systemic pressure on healthcare facilities and resources as telehealth services align more closely with patients’ needs.

Summary

House Bill 1738, titled 'Relating to telehealth and home telemonitoring services, including the provision of those services under Medicaid', seeks to reform and expand the availability of telehealth services in Texas, particularly targeted towards pediatric patients with specific chronic medical issues. The bill amends existing laws to allow for home telemonitoring for children being treated by multiple specialists or those with severe chronic conditions, thereby enhancing access to necessary healthcare services while still accommodating the specialized needs of these patients. This legislative effort reflects a growing acknowledgment of the benefits of remote healthcare supervision, especially for vulnerable populations.

Contention

Despite the positive reception from advocates for increased telehealth accessibility, there are concerns regarding the potential for fraud, waste, and abuse in the system. The bill includes provisions for a study aimed at identifying such issues within the telehealth and home telemonitoring services under Medicaid. As proposing new regulations can often be contentious, the requirement for the executive commissioner to develop measures to combat fraud may be viewed differently by various stakeholders—while some see it as necessary oversight, others may concern it restricts service providers unduly or complicates the administration of telehealth programs.