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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the billing of anatomic pathology services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 166 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 166. BILLING OF ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY SERVICES |
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Sec. 166.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "anatomic |
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pathology services" means: |
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(1) histopathology or surgical pathology, which is the |
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gross and microscopic examination and histologic processing of |
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organ tissue performed by a physician or under the supervision of a |
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physician; |
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(2) cytopathology, which is the microscopic |
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examination of cells from the following: |
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(A) fluids; |
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(B) aspirates; |
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(C) washings; |
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(D) brushings; or |
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(E) smears, including a Pap smear, performed by a |
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physician or under the supervision of a physician; |
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(3) hematology, which is the microscopic evaluation of |
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bone marrow aspirates and biopsies performed by a physician, or |
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under the supervision of a physician, and peripheral blood smears |
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when the attending or treating physician or technologist requests |
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that a blood smear be reviewed by a pathologist; |
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(4) sub-cellular pathology and molecular pathology; |
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or |
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(5) a blood-banking service performed by a |
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pathologist. |
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Sec. 166.002. ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY BILLING. Notwithstanding |
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any other law, a person, including a physician and an entity, |
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violates this subtitle and is subject to disciplinary action and |
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penalties under this subtitle if the person: |
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(1) does not directly supervise or perform anatomic |
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pathology services for a patient; and |
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(2) fails to disclose in the bill presented by the |
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person to the patient or the insurer or other third party payor, or |
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in an itemized statement to the patient: |
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(A) the name and address of the physician or |
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laboratory that provided the anatomic pathology services; and |
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(B) the net amount paid or to be paid for each |
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anatomic pathology service provided to the patient by the physician |
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or laboratory. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 166, Occupations Code, as added by this |
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Act, applies only to anatomic pathology services performed on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. The Texas Medical Board may adopt rules |
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necessary to implement Chapter 166, Occupations Code, as added by |
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this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |