86R2923 EAS-D
 
  By: Price H.B. No. 871
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to use of telemedicine medical service by certain trauma
  facilities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 773.1151 to read as follows:
         Sec. 773.1151.  USE OF TELEMEDICINE MEDICAL SERVICE BY
  CERTAIN TRAUMA FACILITIES. (a) In this section, "telemedicine
  medical service" has the meaning assigned by Section 111.001,
  Occupations Code.
         (b)  A health care facility located in a county with a
  population of less than 30,000 may satisfy a Level IV trauma
  facility designation requirement relating to physicians through
  the use of telemedicine medical service in which an on-call
  physician who has special competence in the care of critically
  injured patients provides patient assessment, diagnosis,
  consultation, or treatment or transfers medical data to a
  physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician
  assistant located at the facility.
         (c)  In establishing the requirements for designating a
  facility as a Level IV trauma facility, the executive commissioner
  may not adopt rules that:
               (1)  require the physical presence or physical
  availability of a physician who has special competence in the care
  of critically injured patients; or
               (2)  prohibit the use of telemedicine medical service
  that meets the requirements of Subsection (b).
         SECTION 2.  The executive commissioner of the Health and
  Human Services Commission shall adopt rules to implement Section
  773.1151, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later
  than December 1, 2019.
         SECTION 3.  Notwithstanding Section 773.1151, Health and
  Safety Code, as added by this Act, a health care facility located in
  a county with a population of less than 30,000 may use telemedicine
  medical service to satisfy a Level IV trauma facility designation
  requirement only on or after January 1, 2020.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.