TITLE: Relating to the reimbursement of certain providers under the Medicaid program for the provision of telehealth services.

SUMMARY: Relating to the reimbursement of certain providers under the Medicaid program for the provision of telehealth services.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the reimbursement of certain providers under the Medicaid program for the provision of telehealth services. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.02171 to read as follows: Sec. 531.02171. REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN TELEHEALTH SERVICES. (a) In this section, "health professional" means an individual who is: (1) licensed, registered, certified, or otherwise authorized by this state to practice as a social worker, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist; (2) a licensed professional counselor; (3) a licensed marriage and family therapist; or (4) a licensed specialist in school psychology. (b) The commission shall ensure that Medicaid reimbursement is provided to a school district or open-enrollment charter school for telehealth services provided through the school district or charter school by a health professional, even if the health professional is not the patient's primary care provider, if: (1) the school district or charter school is an authorized health care provider under Medicaid; and (2) the parent or legal guardian of the patient provides consent before the service is provided. SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.