By: Schwertner S.B. No. 1845
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to itemized billing for health care services and supplies
  provided by health care providers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Subtitle J to read as follows:
  SUBTITLE J.  PAYMENT FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SUPPLIES
  CHAPTER 185.  HEALTH CARE BILLING
         Sec. 185.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
               (1)  "Debt collection" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 392.001, Finance Code.
               (2)  "Health care provider" means a hospital or
  freestanding emergency medical care facility licensed under
  Chapter 254, Health and Safety Code.
               (3)  "Health care  service" means a service provided to
  an individual by a health care provider to diagnose, prevent,
  treat, alleviate, cure, or heal a human health condition, illness,
  injury, or disease.
         Sec. 185.002.  ITEMIZED BILL REQUIRED.  Before a health care
  provider pursues any debt collection against a patient for whom the
  provider provided a health care service or related supply, the
  provider shall issue to the patient a written itemized bill of
  charges for all health care services and supplies provided to the
  patient during the visit to the provider.  The bill must include the
  amount charged for each health care service and supply provided to
  the patient by that provider and any other provider during that
  visit.
         Sec. 185.003.  DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY LICENSING AUTHORITY.  
  The appropriate licensing authority may take disciplinary action
  against a health care provider that violates this chapter as if the
  provider violated an applicable licensing law.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.