S.B. No. 922
AN ACT
relating to the reimbursement of certain providers under the
Medicaid program for the provision of telehealth services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.02171 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.02171. REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN TELEHEALTH
SERVICES. (a) In this section, "health professional" means an
individual who is:
(1) licensed, registered, certified, or otherwise
authorized by this state to practice as a social worker,
occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist;
(2) a licensed professional counselor;
(3) a licensed marriage and family therapist; or
(4) a licensed specialist in school psychology.
(b) The commission shall ensure that Medicaid reimbursement
is provided to a school district or open-enrollment charter school
for telehealth services provided through the school district or
charter school by a health professional, even if the health
professional is not the patient's primary care provider, if:
(1) the school district or charter school is an
authorized health care provider under Medicaid; and
(2) the parent or legal guardian of the patient
provides consent before the service is provided.
SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 922 passed the Senate on
May 1, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2; and that the
Senate concurred in House amendment on May 25, 2017, by the
following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 922 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 20, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 135,
Nays 0, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor