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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 583
77R2629 CAS-DBy: Duncan
Health & Human Services
2/13/2001
As Filed


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.
As proposed, 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
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 for
operating costs that exceed the cost limits established under Section
413.30, 42 Code of Federal Regulations; other services that exceed a
reasonable and regular rate for the services; or any services for which the
physician has accepted insurance benefits or payment under a private
medical indemnity plan or program. 

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