LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 86TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
Revision 1
 
May 16, 2019

TO:
Honorable Eddie Lucio III, Chair, House Committee on Insurance
 
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director     Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director
Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB1264 by Hancock (Relating to consumer protections against certain medical and health care billing by certain out-of-network providers; authorizing a fee.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. This analysis assumes an estimated cost of approximately $142,793 from the General Revenue Fund each fiscal year for the Texas Medical Board related to additional balance billing complaints as a result of the bill; however, these costs will be absorbed within the agency's existing resources.

The Texas Department of Insurance, Employees Retirement System, Teacher Retirement System, and any other state agency subject to this Act are required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the agencies may, but are not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.

The bill would amend the Insurance Code relating to consumer protections against certain medical and health care billing by certain out-of-network providers.

Based on information provided by the Texas Department of Insurance, State Office of Administrative Hearings, Employees Retirement System, Teacher Retirement System, Health and Human Services Commission, The University of Texas System Administration, Texas A&M University System Administration, Office of Court Administration, and Office of the Attorney General, this analysis assumes that the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.

This analysis assumes an anticipated increase in complaints related to balance billing as a result of the bill for the Texas Medical Board. This analysis assumes an estimated cost of approximately $142,793 from the General Revenue Fund each fiscal year to handle the increased workload that will be absorbed within the agency's existing resources.

The bill applies only to a health care or medical service or supply provided on or after January 1, 2020. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2019.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 323 Teacher Retirement System, 327 Employees Retirement System, 360 State Office of Administrative Hearings, 454 Department of Insurance, 503 Texas Medical Board, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration
LBB Staff:
WP, CMa, SGr, CP, JMO