88R12488 LRM-D

By: Martinez H.B. No. 3467

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to emergency medical services personnel and coverage by certain health benefit plans for treatment by emergency medical services personnel.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 773.003(10), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(10) "Emergency medical services personnel" means:

(A) emergency care attendant;

(B) emergency medical technicians;

(C) advanced emergency medical technicians;

(D) emergency medical technicians--paramedic; [or]

(E) licensed paramedic;

(F) community health paramedic;

(G) paramedic practitioner; or

(H) emergency medical services physician.

SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Sections 773.0497, 773.0498, and 773.0499 to read as follows:

Sec. 773.0497. COMMUNITY HEALTH PARAMEDIC: QUALIFICATIONS AND LIST OF TRAINING PROGRAMS. (a) An individual qualifies as a community health paramedic if the individual:

(1) is licensed as a paramedic under this chapter; and

(2) completes a training program in community paramedicine that meets the curriculum requirements established by department rules.

(b) The department shall publish and maintain a public list of training programs that meet the minimum requirements for community health paramedic certification established by department rule.

Sec. 773.0498. PARAMEDIC PRACTITIONER QUALIFICATIONS. An individual qualifies as a paramedic practitioner if the individual:

(1) is licensed as a paramedic under this chapter; and

(2) either:

(A) is a physician assistant licensed under Chapter 204, Occupations Code; or

(B) is an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under Chapter 301, Occupations Code.

Sec. 773.0499. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PHYSICIAN QUALIFICATIONS. An individual qualifies as an emergency medical services physician if the individual:

(1) is a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state; and

(2) is trained in emergency medical services.

SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 1201, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 1201.066 to read as follows:

Sec. 1201.066. COVERAGE FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. An individual or group accident and health insurance policy that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state, including a policy issued by a corporation operating under Chapter 842, or by a self-funded or self-insured welfare or benefit plan or program, to the extent that regulation of the plan or program is not preempted by federal law, that provides coverage for a child of an insured or group member, on payment of a premium, must provide coverage for:

(1) individuals who obtain emergency medical services by an emergency medical services physician or paramedic practitioner certified under Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code; and

(2) individuals who obtain services from a qualified health care professional by audio or audiovisual means while the individual is attended by emergency medical services personnel, as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 4. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.

(b) Section 1201.066, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024.

SECTION 5. 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, 2023.