House Bill No. 2556 introduces new regulations regarding facility fees charged by health care providers in Texas. It establishes Chapter 328 in the Health and Safety Code, which defines key terms such as "facility fee," "health care provider," and "telehealth service." The bill prohibits health care providers from charging facility fees for telehealth services and mandates that they include a valid place of service code on claims for reimbursement. Additionally, starting January 1, 2031, health care providers must obtain a national provider identifier for themselves and their affiliated facilities. The bill also requires health care providers to notify patients in writing about any facility fees charged for services, including the amount of the fee and its purpose, at least ten days before the service is provided.

To enforce these regulations, the bill allows the Health and Human Services Commission to impose administrative penalties of up to $1,000 for violations. It also mandates a study by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to analyze health care facility fees and their impact on patient costs, with findings due by December 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, with specific provisions regarding notice of facility fees taking effect on January 1, 2026.

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