LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
Revision 1
April 30, 1999
TO: Honorable Patricia Gray, Chair, House Committee on Public
Health
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB517 by Gray (relating to Medicaid reimbursement for
certain medical consultations), Committee Report 1st
House, Substituted
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* No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. *
* *
* The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal *
* basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of *
* the bill. *
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The bill would expand the use of Medicaid reimbursement for telemedical
consultations. Health professionals in addition to physicians would be
allowed, under certain circumstances, to receive reimbursements for
consultations. To the extent that the modifications in this bill enhance
access to consultations for Medicaid eligible persons, it is possible
that the Medicaid program could incur more costs than under current
program operations.
The bill would require the establishment of an advisory committee to
assist the Health and Human Services Commission in developing policies
for telemedical consultations. Reimbursement for travel and related
expenses for the advisory committee would have to be authorized through
the General Appropriations Act.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is
anticipated.
Source Agencies: 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 501
Department of Health
LBB Staff: JK, TP, KF, TH