By: Paxton S.B. No. 2744
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the modernization of cardiovascular screening and
prevention under the Texas Heart Attack Prevention Bill (HB 1290).
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1369.301, Insurance Code, is amended to read as
follows:
(a) In this section, "advanced cardiovascular screening" means:
(1) Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) with Advanced
Plaque Analysis;
(2) Quantitative Disease Tracking conducted every one to four years
based on disease severity as determined by CCTA;
(3) Telecardiology Consultations for patient review and education
by a qualified healthcare provider.
(b) A health benefit plan that provides coverage for screening and
diagnostic evaluations of cardiovascular disease shall provide
coverage for advanced cardiovascular screening for eligible
individuals, which shall replace prior screening methodologies,
including but not limited to coronary artery calcium scoring and
carotid intima-media thickness ultrasonography.
(c) Coverage for advanced cardiovascular screening shall include:
(1) The use of CCTA with Advanced Plaque Analysis to provide a
comprehensive assessment of coronary artery disease by visualizing
luminal and plaque characteristics for improved diagnostic
accuracy, prognostic risk stratification, and therapeutic
decision-making;
(2) Implementation of Quantitative Disease Tracking at intervals
of one to four years, determined based on individual risk profiles,
with most individuals undergoing repeat CCTA every three to four
years;
(3) Telecardiology Consultations to provide expert cardiovascular
evaluations remotely, ensuring accessibility to specialized care
statewide;
(4) An increase in the mandatory reimbursement cap to $2,000 to
reflect the advanced nature of diagnostic procedures and
associated consultations, in alignment with national reimbursement
trends set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
SECTION 2. The following amendments are made to reflect advances in
cardiovascular imaging and risk assessment:
(a) Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) with Advanced
Plaque Analysis is recognized as the most comprehensive screening
modality, identifying all plaque types including non-calcified,
lipid-rich plaques, which have been demonstrated in landmark
clinical trials to be the strongest predictors of future
cardiovascular events.
(b) The inclusion of AI-enabled software for whole-heart
quantification and characterization of coronary atherosclerotic
plaque is mandated, ensuring a precise assessment of disease
progression or regression.
(c) The implementation of serial CCTA and plaque analysis at
tailored intervals (every one to four years) ensures effective
riskstratificationandidentificationof individualswith
residual risk of major adverse cardiovascular events following
initial medical treatment, addressing an estimated 80% of such
cases.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
screenings performed on or after the effective date of this Act. Any
screening performed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect at the time the screening was
conducted, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote
of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided
by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not
receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes
effect September 1, 2025.