By Maxey, et al. H.B. No. 2017 75R12083 CLG-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to telemedicine services provided under the Medicaid and 1-3 Medicare programs. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 531.0215 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 531.0215. PARTICIPATION AND REIMBURSEMENT OF 1-8 TELEMEDICINE SERVICE PROVIDERS UNDER MEDICAID. (a) The 1-9 commission by rule shall develop and implement a system to 1-10 reimburse providers of services under the state Medicaid program 1-11 for services performed using telemedicine. 1-12 (b) In developing the system, the commission shall: 1-13 (1) review programs and pilot projects in other states 1-14 to determine the most effective method for reimbursement; 1-15 (2) establish billing codes and a fee schedule for 1-16 services; and 1-17 (3) provide for an approval process before a provider 1-18 can receive reimbursement for services. 1-19 (c) The commission shall encourage teaching hospitals, small 1-20 rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and 1-21 state-owned health care facilities to participate as telemedicine 1-22 service providers in the health care delivery system. 1-23 (d) In this section, "telemedicine" has the meaning assigned 1-24 by Section 3.606, Public Utility Regulatory Act of 1995 (Article 2-1 1446c-0, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). 2-2 SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date 2-3 of this Act, Texas Tech University, with the cooperation of the 2-4 Health and Human Services Commission, shall contact the Health Care 2-5 Financing Administration regarding approval of the federal waiver 2-6 submitted before the effective date of this Act to allow Texas Tech 2-7 University to receive reimbursement under the federal research and 2-8 demonstration project for telemedicine services provided under the 2-9 Medicare program. 2-10 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-11 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-12 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-13 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-14 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-15 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-16 passage, and it is so enacted.