85R8209 KKR-F
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1494
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to preauthorization and concurrent review of certain
  health care services under the workers' compensation system.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 413.014, Labor Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as
  follows:
         (c)  The commissioner's rules adopted under this section
  must provide that preauthorization and concurrent review are
  required at a minimum for:
               (1)  spinal surgery, as provided by Section 408.026;
               (2)  work-hardening or work-conditioning services
  [provided by a health care facility that is not credentialed by an
  organization recognized by commissioner rules];
               (3)  inpatient hospitalization, including any
  procedure and length of stay;
               (4)  physical and occupational therapy;
               (5)  outpatient or ambulatory surgical services, as
  defined by commissioner rule; and
               (6)  any investigational or experimental services or
  devices.
         (c-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(2), the commissioner
  by rule may exempt from preauthorization and concurrent review
  work-hardening or work-conditioning services provided by a health
  care facility that is credentialed by an organization designated by
  commissioner rule.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to health care services provided on or after the effective date of
  this Act in conjunction with a claim for workers' compensation
  benefits, regardless of the date on which the compensable injury
  that is the basis of the claim occurred.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.