SRC-JEC S.B. 583 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 583
By: Duncan
Health & Human Services
6/25/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a hospital can hold a lien for services provided during a
patient's first 100 days of treatment. An emergency room physician often
does not get compensated.  The collection rate for trauma treatment is low.
S.B. 583 provides for the lien to include the emergency room physician's
compensation. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 55.004, Property Code, to define "emergency
hospital care." Authorizes the lien to also include the amount of a
physician's reasonable and necessary charges for emergency hospital care
services provided to the injured individual during the first seven days of
the injured individual's hospitalization.  Authorizes the hospital, at the
request of the physician, to act on the physician's behalf in securing and
discharging the lien.  Provides that the lien does not cover charges by the
physician related to any services for which the physician has accepted
benefits or payment under a private medical plan, regardless of whether it
equaled the full amount of the charges; charges by the physician if the
injured individual has medical coverage from which the physician is
entitled to recover payment; or charges by the physician related to any
services provided under Subsection (c) if the physician is a member of the
legislature.  Deletes text regarding certain charges. 

SECTION 2.   Effective date: September 1, 2001.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.