The bill, S.B. No. 2744, aims to modernize cardiovascular screening and prevention under the Texas Heart Attack Prevention Bill (HB 1290) by amending Section 1369.301 of the Insurance Code. It introduces the definition of "advanced cardiovascular screening," which includes Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) with Advanced Plaque Analysis, Quantitative Disease Tracking, and Telecardiology Consultations. The bill mandates that health benefit plans provide coverage for these advanced screening methods, replacing older methodologies such as coronary artery calcium scoring and carotid intima-media thickness ultrasonography. Additionally, it establishes a reimbursement cap of $2,000 for these advanced procedures, aligning with national trends set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of CCTA with Advanced Plaque Analysis as a comprehensive screening modality that can identify various plaque types, including those that are strong predictors of cardiovascular events. It also mandates the use of AI-enabled software for accurate assessment of coronary atherosclerotic plaque and outlines the implementation of serial CCTA and plaque analysis at tailored intervals to effectively stratify risk and identify individuals at residual risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. The changes will apply only to screenings performed on or after the effective date of the Act, with prior screenings governed by the law in effect at that time.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 1369.301 (Insurance Code 1369)