Bill Text: TX HB3467 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating to emergency medical services personnel and coverage by certain health benefit plans for treatment by emergency medical services personnel.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-16 - Referred to Public Health [HB3467 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3467-Introduced.html

---

88R12488 LRM-D
By: Martinez H.B. No. 3467

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to emergency medical services personnel and coverage by
certain health benefit plans for treatment by emergency medical
services personnel.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 773.003(10), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(10) "Emergency medical services personnel" means:
(A) emergency care attendant;
(B) emergency medical technicians;
(C) advanced emergency medical technicians;
(D) emergency medical technicians--paramedic;
[or]
(E) licensed paramedic;
(F) community health paramedic;
(G) paramedic practitioner; or
(H) emergency medical services physician.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Sections 773.0497, 773.0498, and
773.0499 to read as follows:
Sec. 773.0497. COMMUNITY HEALTH PARAMEDIC: QUALIFICATIONS
AND LIST OF TRAINING PROGRAMS. (a) An individual qualifies as a
community health paramedic if the individual:
(1) is licensed as a paramedic under this chapter; and
(2) completes a training program in community
paramedicine that meets the curriculum requirements established by
department rules.
(b) The department shall publish and maintain a public list
of training programs that meet the minimum requirements for
community health paramedic certification established by department
rule.
Sec. 773.0498. PARAMEDIC PRACTITIONER QUALIFICATIONS. An
individual qualifies as a paramedic practitioner if the individual:
(1) is licensed as a paramedic under this chapter; and
(2) either:
(A) is a physician assistant licensed under
Chapter 204, Occupations Code; or
(B) is an advanced practice registered nurse
licensed under Chapter 301, Occupations Code.
Sec. 773.0499. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PHYSICIAN
QUALIFICATIONS. An individual qualifies as an emergency medical
services physician if the individual:
(1) is a physician licensed to practice medicine in
this state; and
(2) is trained in emergency medical services.
SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 1201, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1201.066 to read as follows:
Sec. 1201.066. COVERAGE FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. An
individual or group accident and health insurance policy that is
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state, including
a policy issued by a corporation operating under Chapter 842, or by
a self-funded or self-insured welfare or benefit plan or program,
to the extent that regulation of the plan or program is not
preempted by federal law, that provides coverage for a child of an
insured or group member, on payment of a premium, must provide
coverage for:
(1) individuals who obtain emergency medical services
by an emergency medical services physician or paramedic
practitioner certified under Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code;
and
(2) individuals who obtain services from a qualified
health care professional by audio or audiovisual means while the
individual is attended by emergency medical services personnel, as
defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 4. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement
the changes in law made by this Act.
(b) Section 1201.066, Insurance Code, as added by this Act,
applies only to a health benefit plan delivered, issued for
delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.