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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the amount charged by certain health care facilities |
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for health care services and supplies provided to consumers |
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receiving outpatient care. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 324, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 324.104 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 324.104. PROHIBITED CHARGES. (a) A facility that |
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provides inpatient and outpatient health care may not charge for a |
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health care service or supply provided to a consumer receiving |
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outpatient care at the facility an amount that exceeds the amount |
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the consumer's third-party payor pays, computed without |
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consideration of any copayment, deductible, or coinsurance for |
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which the consumer is responsible, for the same health care service |
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or supply provided by a facility to a consumer in an outpatient care |
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setting. |
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(b) This section does not apply to a service or supply |
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provided in a hospital emergency room. |
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SECTION 2. Section 324.104, Health and Safety Code, as |
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added by this Act, applies only to the charge for a health care |
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service or supply provided on or after the effective date of this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |