The bill, S.B. No. 669, amends the Health and Safety Code to enhance the requirements for itemized billing by health care providers in Texas. It redefines "health care provider" to include specific professionals such as physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, while removing the exclusion of federally-qualified health centers. The bill establishes that health care providers must issue itemized bills electronically, through mail, or in person, and introduces a new requirement for providers to check if a patient has created a profile on their patient portal before issuing an electronic bill. If the patient has not created a profile, the provider must mail a hard copy of the bill.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that patients can request an itemized bill at any time after it is initially issued and can choose their preferred method of receipt. It also mandates disciplinary action against providers who violate these billing requirements, aligning such violations with existing licensing laws. Importantly, the bill provides a grace period until January 1, 2026, for certain health care providers who were not previously subject to these requirements, and it specifies that the new billing regulations will only apply to bills issued after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 185.001, Health and Safety Code 185.002, Health and Safety Code 185.003 (Health and Safety Code 185)