87R5656 SCL-D
By: Hughes S.B. No. 2122
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to itemized billing for health care services and supplies
provided by health care providers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Subtitle J to read as follows:
SUBTITLE J. PAYMENT FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SUPPLIES
CHAPTER 185. HEALTH CARE BILLING
Sec. 185.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Debt collection" has the meaning assigned by
Section 392.001, Finance Code.
(2) "Health care provider" means an individual or
facility licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to
administer health care services or supplies in this state in the
ordinary course of business or professional practice, including a
physician or a hospital.
(3) "Health care service" means a service provided to
an individual by a health care provider to diagnose, prevent,
treat, alleviate, cure, or heal a human health condition, illness,
injury, or disease.
Sec. 185.002. ITEMIZED BILL REQUIRED. Before a health care
provider pursues any debt collection against a patient for whom the
provider provided a health care service or related supply, the
provider shall issue to the patient a written itemized bill of
charges for all health care services and supplies provided to the
patient during the visit to the provider. The bill must include the
amount charged for each health care service and supply provided to
the patient by that provider and any other provider during that
visit.
Sec. 185.003. DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY LICENSING AUTHORITY.
The appropriate licensing authority may take disciplinary action
against a health care provider that violates this chapter as if the
provider violated an applicable licensing law.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.