LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION May 5, 2021 TO: Honorable Tom Oliverson, Chair, House Committee on Insurance FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB980 by Fierro (relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and telehealth services.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time due to the inability to determine the impact on Medicaid service utilization. The bill would amend the Insurance Code relating to telemedicine medical services and telehealth services covered by certain health benefit plans or provided by a pharmacist. The bill would include mental health professionals and individuals credentialed to provide qualified mental health professional community services in the definition of health professional for whom certain health benefit plan issuers must reimburse for covered health services provided via telehealth/telemedicine at the same rate as the health plan would reimburse for the service or procedure in an in-person setting. The bill would require that a health plan issuer may not require additional documentation for the service provided via telehealth/telemedicine service than it requires for the service provided in an in-person setting. The Health and Human Services Commission indicates that the agency does not have sufficient information to determine the fiscal impacts of the bill resulting from increased accessibility and utilization of services. Local Government ImpactNo fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: b > td > 454 Department of Insurance, 529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 537 State Health Services LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, AAL, JLI, RD, NDA, MPUK, MB
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
May 5, 2021
TO: Honorable Tom Oliverson, Chair, House Committee on Insurance FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB980 by Fierro (relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and telehealth services.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
TO: Honorable Tom Oliverson, Chair, House Committee on Insurance
FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB980 by Fierro (relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and telehealth services.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
Honorable Tom Oliverson, Chair, House Committee on Insurance
Honorable Tom Oliverson, Chair, House Committee on Insurance
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB980 by Fierro (relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and telehealth services.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
HB980 by Fierro (relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and telehealth services.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time due to the inability to determine the impact on Medicaid service utilization.
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time due to the inability to determine the impact on Medicaid service utilization.
The bill would amend the Insurance Code relating to telemedicine medical services and telehealth services covered by certain health benefit plans or provided by a pharmacist. The bill would include mental health professionals and individuals credentialed to provide qualified mental health professional community services in the definition of health professional for whom certain health benefit plan issuers must reimburse for covered health services provided via telehealth/telemedicine at the same rate as the health plan would reimburse for the service or procedure in an in-person setting. The bill would require that a health plan issuer may not require additional documentation for the service provided via telehealth/telemedicine service than it requires for the service provided in an in-person setting. The Health and Human Services Commission indicates that the agency does not have sufficient information to determine the fiscal impacts of the bill resulting from increased accessibility and utilization of services.
The bill would amend the Insurance Code relating to telemedicine medical services and telehealth services covered by certain health benefit plans or provided by a pharmacist. The bill would include mental health professionals and individuals credentialed to provide qualified mental health professional community services in the definition of health professional for whom certain health benefit plan issuers must reimburse for covered health services provided via telehealth/telemedicine at the same rate as the health plan would reimburse for the service or procedure in an in-person setting. The bill would require that a health plan issuer may not require additional documentation for the service provided via telehealth/telemedicine service than it requires for the service provided in an in-person setting.
The Health and Human Services Commission indicates that the agency does not have sufficient information to determine the fiscal impacts of the bill resulting from increased accessibility and utilization of services.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies: b > td > 454 Department of Insurance, 529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 537 State Health Services
454 Department of Insurance, 529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 537 State Health Services
LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, AAL, JLI, RD, NDA, MPUK, MB
JMc, AAL, JLI, RD, NDA, MPUK, MB