Texas House Bill HB2247

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to a demonstration program at the State Office of Risk Management for real-time processing of workers' compensation authorizations of payment for medical services and medical bills.

Impact

If enacted, HB2247 is expected to herald a shift in how workers' compensation claims are processed in Texas. By allowing for real-time payment authorizations, the bill aims to reduce administrative delays and potential disputes between injured employees and insurers. The evaluation period for this demonstration program is set to end on June 30, 2024, after which a report will assess its effectiveness in achieving cost savings and administrative efficiencies. Should the findings be favorable, the program could be adopted on a permanent basis, thereby formalizing the changes to the workers' compensation process.

Summary

House Bill 2247 proposes a demonstration program at the State Office of Risk Management focused on the real-time processing of workers' compensation authorizations of payment for medical services and medical bills. This bill aims to improve the efficiency of the current process by implementing a secure internet-based portal where various stakeholders such as state agencies, injured employees, and healthcare providers can interact seamlessly. The bill emphasizes the collection of administrative and clinical data to streamline the authorization process at the point of care, which represents a significant modernization in the management of workers' compensation claims.

Contention

There is potential for contention surrounding the bill primarily related to the ability of the State Office of Risk Management to effectively implement and monitor the demonstration program. Stakeholders have raised concerns about the integration of this new process with existing systems and the provision of adequate training for personnel involved in the handling of workers' compensation claims. Additionally, any assessment that identifies shortcomings in achieving cost-effective measures could lead to scrutiny on the bill’s efficacy and highlight the need for further legislative amendments.