Honorable Four Price, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2697 by Price (Relating to telemedicine and telehealth services.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
This bill would amend the Occupations, Insurance, Health and Safety, and Government Codes relating to telemedicine and telehealth services. Under the provisions of the bill, the Texas Medical Board (TMB), Texas Board of Nursing (BON), Texas Physician Assistant Board, and Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) are required to adopt rules to determine a valid telemedicine prescription and publish frequently asked questions relating to a valid prescription on each respective agency website.
Based on information provided by TMB, BON, TSBP, the Texas Department of Insurance, and the Health and Human Services Commission, it is assumed that the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to the House and Senate or otherwise on September 1, 2017. Sections 1455.001(3) and 1455.004, Insurance Code, as amended by the bill, and Section 1455.006, Insurance Code, as added by the bill take effect on January 1, 2018.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
454 Department of Insurance, 503 Texas Medical Board, 507 Texas Board of Nursing, 515 Board of Pharmacy, 529 Health and Human Services Commission