S.B. No. 1494
AN ACT
relating to preauthorization and concurrent review of certain
health care services under the workers' compensation system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 413.014, Labor Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as
follows:
(c) The commissioner's rules adopted under this section
must provide that preauthorization and concurrent review are
required at a minimum for:
(1) spinal surgery, as provided by Section 408.026;
(2) work-hardening or work-conditioning services
[provided by a health care facility that is not credentialed by an
organization recognized by commissioner rules];
(3) inpatient hospitalization, including any
procedure and length of stay;
(4) physical and occupational therapy;
(5) outpatient or ambulatory surgical services, as
defined by commissioner rule; and
(6) any investigational or experimental services or
devices.
(c-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(2), the commissioner
by rule may exempt from preauthorization and concurrent review
work-hardening or work-conditioning services provided by a health
care facility that is credentialed by an organization designated by
commissioner rule.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to health care services provided on or after the effective date of
this Act in conjunction with a claim for workers' compensation
benefits, regardless of the date on which the compensable injury
that is the basis of the claim occurred.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1494 passed the Senate on
April 20, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1494 passed the House on
May 9, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor