HB 163
bill to stop pharmacy benefit managers forcing doctors to fax
Filed
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Nov 9, 2026 · How we grade
Caption
relating to a pharmacy benefit manager's communications with a prescribing health care provider and the provider's staff by a secure digital communication system.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Encrypted e-mail or a portal instead. Fax freedom arrives September 1, 2027.
The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers to use secure digital systems, such as encrypted e-mail, a physician portal or an electronic prior authorization system, when they communicate with prescribers and their staff. It touches pharmacy benefit managers and the doctors and office staff who deal with them on prescriptions. Starting September 1, 2027, those managers cannot force a doctor's office to use a fax to reach them.
Receipt
The receipt
90R-HB163 · 2026-11-09
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to a pharmacy benefit manager's communications with a prescribing health care provider and the provider's staff by a secure digital communication system.
WHAT IT DOES
Encrypted e-mail or a portal instead. Fax freedom arrives September 1, 2027.
The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers to use secure digital systems, such as encrypted e-mail, a physician portal or an electronic prior authorization system, when they communicate with prescribers and their staff. It touches pharmacy benefit managers and the doctors and office staff who deal with them on prescriptions. Starting September 1, 2027, those managers cannot force a doctor's office to use a fax to reach them.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Donors report through Friends of Tom Oliverson.
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by a super-expensive superintelligence, Nov 9, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Nov 9, 2026
11/09/2026 H Filed
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Nov 10, 2026 at 2:31 AM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Subjects
Electronic Information Systems
Health Care Providers
Health--Privacy/Use of Information
Insurance--Health & Accident
PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS
Text
The text as introduced · 178 words
90R2463 SCR-D By: Oliverson H.B. No. 163 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a pharmacy benefit manager's communications with a prescribing health care provider and the provider's staff by a secure digital communication system. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 4151, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 4151.1532 to read as follows: Sec. 4151.1532. SECURE DIGITAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. (a) In this section, "secure digital communication system" means an electronic communication method that protects confidential health care information by using encryption or requiring a password or other form of user authentication for access. The term includes an encrypted e-mail, physician portal, or standardized electronic prior authorization system. (b) A pharmacy benefit manager shall use a secure digital communication system to communicate with a prescribing health care provider and the provider's staff. (c) A pharmacy benefit manager may not require the use of a fax to communicate with a prescribing health care provider and the provider's staff. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.