By: Hughes, et al. 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. (a) A health care
provider who requests payment from a patient for a health care
service or related supply provided to the patient shall submit with
the request a written, itemized bill of charges for all health care
services and supplies provided to the patient during the patient's
visit to the provider.
(b) The itemized bill must include:
(1) the amount the health care provider agrees to
accept as full payment for each health care service and supply
provided to the patient by that provider;
(2) a plain language description of each discrete
health care service or supply; and
(3) if reimbursement is sought from a third party, any
billing code submitted to the third party and the amounts billed to
and paid by that third party.
(c) A health care provider may issue the itemized bill
electronically, including through a patient portal on the
provider's Internet website.
(d) A patient is entitled to obtain from the health care
provider an itemized bill on request at any time after the itemized
bill is initially issued under Subsection (a).
(e) A health care provider may not pursue debt collection
against a patient for a provided health care service or supply
unless the provider has complied with this section.
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.