TITLE: Relating to itemized billing for health care services and supplies provided by health care providers.

SUMMARY: Relating to itemized billing for health care services and supplies provided by health care providers.

FULL TEXT:
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. Section 185.002, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows: (c) Except as provided by Subsection (c-1), a [A] health care provider may issue the itemized bill electronically, including through a patient portal on the provider's Internet website. (c-1) A health care provider that issues an itemized bill to a patient electronically through a patient portal under Subsection (c) shall: (1) determine whether the patient has created a patient profile on the portal; and (2) if the health care provider determines that the patient has not created a patient portal, mail a copy of the itemized bill to the patient. SECTION 2. Section 185.003, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 185.003. DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY LICENSING AUTHORITY. The appropriate licensing authority shall take disciplinary action against a health care [the] provider that violates this chapter [for the violation] as if the provider violated an applicable licensing law. SECTION 3. Section 185.002, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to an itemized bill issued on or after the effective date of this Act. An itemized bill issued before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the itemized bill was issued, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.