2025S0220-T 03/12/25
 
  By: Hancock S.B. No. 2544
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
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 90th 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) Not later than the 30th day after the
  effective date of this Act, the commissioner of insurance shall
  adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this
  Act.
         (b)  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a
  health care or medical service or supply provided on or after the
  30th day after the effective date of this Act. A health care or
  medical service or supply provided before that date is governed by
  the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act,
  and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         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.