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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the reimbursement of certain providers under the |
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Medicaid program for the provision of telehealth services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 531.02171 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.02171. REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN TELEHEALTH |
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SERVICES. (a) In this section, "health professional" means an |
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individual who is: |
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(1) licensed, registered, certified, or otherwise |
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authorized by this state to practice as a social worker, |
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occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist; |
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(2) a licensed professional counselor; or |
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(3) a licensed specialist in school psychology. |
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(b) The commission shall ensure that Medicaid reimbursement |
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is provided to a school district or open-enrollment charter school |
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for telehealth services provided through the school district or |
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charter school by a health professional, even if the health |
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professional is not the patient's primary care provider, if: |
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(1) the school district or charter school is an |
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authorized health care provider under Medicaid; and |
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(2) the parent or legal guardian of the patient |
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provides consent before the service is provided. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |