bill repeals an audio-only telehealth exception

The text as introduced · 311 words

89R3349 RDR-D

By: Bhojani
H.B. No. 1051

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to health benefit plan coverage of telemedicine,

teledentistry, and telehealth services provided by only

synchronous or asynchronous audio interaction.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 1455.004(a), Insurance Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(a) A health benefit plan:

(1) must provide coverage for a covered health care

service or procedure delivered by a preferred or contracted health

professional to a covered patient as a telemedicine medical

service, teledentistry dental service, or telehealth service on the

same basis and to the same extent that the plan provides coverage

for the service or procedure in an in-person setting; and

(2) may not:

(A) exclude from coverage a covered health care

service or procedure delivered by a preferred or contracted health

professional to a covered patient as a telemedicine medical

service, a teledentistry dental service, or a telehealth service

solely because the covered health care service or procedure is not

provided through an in-person consultation; and

(B) [ subject to Subsection (c), ] limit, deny, or

reduce coverage for a covered health care service or procedure

delivered as a telemedicine medical service, teledentistry dental

service, or telehealth service based on the health professional's

choice of platform for delivering the service or procedure.

SECTION 2. Section 1455.004(c), Insurance Code, is

repealed.

SECTION 3. The repeal of Section 1455.004(c), Insurance

Code, by this Act, applies only to a health benefit plan delivered,

issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. A

health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed

before January 1, 2026, is governed by the law as it existed

immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is

continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.