S.B. No. 2544
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to eligibility for mediation of certain out-of-network
  health benefit claims.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1467.054(a), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Not later than the 180th day after the date an
  out-of-network provider receives an initial payment for a health
  care or medical service or supply, an [An] out-of-network provider
  or a health benefit plan issuer or administrator may request
  mandatory mediation under this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  The changes in law made by this Act apply
  only to a dispute regarding charges for a health care or medical
  service or supply provided on or after the effective date of this
  Act.
         (b)  A dispute regarding charges for a health care or medical
  service or supply provided before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date
  of this Act if mediation of the dispute under Subchapter B, Chapter
  1467, Insurance Code, is requested on or before the 120th day after
  the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect
  for that purpose.
         (c)  If mediation of a dispute under Subchapter B, Chapter
  1467, Insurance Code, regarding charges for a health care or
  medical service or supply provided before the effective date of
  this Act is not requested on or before the 120th day after the
  effective date of this Act, the dispute is not eligible for
  mediation under that subchapter.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2544 passed the Senate on
  April 30, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May  26, 2025, by the
  following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2544 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 9, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 135,
  Nays 5, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor