88R22360 LRM-D
By: Harris of Williamson, Klick, Frank, H.B. No. 1973
Campos, Collier, et al.
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1973:
By: Klick C.S.H.B. No. 1973
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to itemized billing for health care services and supplies
provided by health care providers; authorizing an administrative
penalty.
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 provide
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 a health
care provider provides to an individual 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 that requests payment from a patient after providing a
health care service or related supply to the patient shall submit
with the request a written, itemized bill of the alleged cost of
each service and supply provided to the patient during the
patient's visit to the provider. The provider must submit the
itemized bill not later than the 30th day after the provider
receives a final payment on the provided service or supply from a
third party.
(b) The itemized bill must include:
(1) a plain language description of each distinct
health care service or supply the health care provider provided to
the patient;
(2) if the provider sought or is seeking reimbursement
from a third party, any billing code submitted to the third party
and the amounts billed to and paid by that third party; and
(3) the amount the provider alleges is due from the
patient for each service and supply provided to the patient.
(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. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY AND OTHER
DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY LICENSING AUTHORITY. The appropriate
licensing authority shall impose an administrative penalty against
a health care provider that violates this chapter in the amount of
$1,000 for each violation and may also take other disciplinary
action against the provider for the violation as if the provider
violated an applicable licensing law.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.