TITLE: Relating to the supervision by allopathic or osteopathic physicians of certain persons performing certain procedures.

SUMMARY: Relating to the supervision by allopathic or osteopathic physicians of certain persons performing certain procedures.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the supervision by allopathic or osteopathic physicians of certain persons performing certain procedures. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Texas Interventional Pain Management and Treatment Act. SECTION 2. Section 172.1(2), Administrative Code, is amended by adding Subsections (3) and (4) to read as follows: (3) "Fluoroscope" is a radiologic instrument equipped with a fluorescent screen on which opaque internal structures can be viewed as moving shadow images formed by the differential transmission of X-rays throughout the body; and (4) "Interventional pain management" means the practice of medicine devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain, through the use of techniques such as: (A) Ablation of targeted nerves, (B) Percutaneous precision needle placement within the spinal column with placement of drugs such as local anesthetics, steroids, analgesics in targeted areas of the spinal column, (C) Surgical techniques, such as laser or endoscopic discectomy, intrathecal infusion pumps and spinal cord stimulators, peripheral nerve stimulation; or (D) Minimally invasive surgical spine interventions. (3) (5) Post-surgical, post-procedure, persistent non-chronic pain--pain that occurs due to trauma caused by the surgery or procedure; or an underlying condition, disease, or injury causing persistent non-chronic pain. These types of pain last 90 days or less, but more than 30 days, from the date of initial prescriptions for opioids during a period of treatment. SECTION 3. Section 169.26(b), Administrative Code, is amended by adding Subsections (1), (2) and (3) to read as follows: (1) It shall be unlawful to practice or offer to practice interventional pain management in the state of Texas unless such a person is licensed to practice medicine by the Texas Medical Board. (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to forbid the administration of non-fluoroscopically guided lumbar interlaminar epidural injections, peripheral nerve blocks and peripheral joint injections by a certified Advanced Practice Provider when requested to do so by a physician and under the supervision of an allopathic or osteopathic physician licensed in Texas and under conditions in which timely on-site consultation by an allopathic or osteopathic physician is available. (3) A certified Advanced Practice Provider shall not operate an interventional pain management clinic, specializing in diagnosing and treating chronic pain-related disorders. Only a qualified pain management physician, as recognized by the Texas Medical Board, can operate an interventional pain management clinic. A certified Advanced Practice Providers may only perform procedures listed in item 2c under the direct supervision of a licensed physician who is Board Certified or Board Eligible in Pain Management as recognized by the Texas Medical Board. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.