Bill Caption

Relating to Medicaid telemedicine and telehealth services.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB670, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($15,362,575) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

SB 670 would repeal the sunset provision for Medicaid reimbursement of telemonitoring services. The bill would amend the Government Code by repealing language relating to regulatory requirements for telemedicine and their reimbursement status from HHSC. HHSC would be prohibited from denying reimbursement for a covered procedure delivered by a health care provider with whom the managed care organization contracts to a recipient as a telemedicine medical service or a telehealth service solely because the covered service or procedure is not provided through an in-person consultation.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action approves of SB 670 because it removes regulatory hurdles as well as ensures that telemedicine may be utilized to reduce costs and increase efficiency of HHSC. Legislation that removes barriers between medical professionals and patients, as well as allows for new technologies to be utilized, adheres to the principles of limited government and free markets.