Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
is threatening to wage war against the Texas Medical Board (TMB) over a rule
the board has proposed that he and others say could undermine a new law (SB
1264) that cracks down on surprise medical bills. The Texas Senate, led by
Patrick, approved legislation earlier this year — signed into law by Gov. Greg
Abbott — that prevents patients with state-regulated health insurance and who
have no choice in selecting medical providers from paying exorbitant medical
bills for out-of-network services. Instead, insurers and doctors will negotiate
how to pay the non-patient share of the costs. The law applies to claims beginning
Jan. 1st, 2020.
Earlier this month, however, the TMB, which regulates medical practices in the state, publicly proposed a rule that patient advocates have said could create a loophole in the law. The rule, which is set to be considered this Friday, would require physicians to provide patients who are set to undergo a non-emergency medical procedure with a waiver outlining out-of-network charges and agreeing to pay those charges. Patient advocates fear the rule as written would allow surprise billing to occur in all non-emergency health services.
Lt. Gov. Patrick said in a statement last week: “After passing the strongest ‘surprise billing’ protections in the nation, I am not happy to learn that attempts may be being made at the Texas Medical Board to create a loophole to undermine this important law. Senators are not happy either. it is unlikely the votes would be there to confirm new interim appointments or approve the reappointment of any member who votes to circumvent the intent of clearly written legislation.” The Senate approves all appointments to the board.
TAHU Lobbyists Shannon and Mike Meroney will attend the TMB’s meeting on Friday, when the board will review the rule and public comments.
Earlier this month, however, the TMB, which regulates medical practices in the state, publicly proposed a rule that patient advocates have said could create a loophole in the law. The rule, which is set to be considered this Friday, would require physicians to provide patients who are set to undergo a non-emergency medical procedure with a waiver outlining out-of-network charges and agreeing to pay those charges. Patient advocates fear the rule as written would allow surprise billing to occur in all non-emergency health services.
Lt. Gov. Patrick said in a statement last week: “After passing the strongest ‘surprise billing’ protections in the nation, I am not happy to learn that attempts may be being made at the Texas Medical Board to create a loophole to undermine this important law. Senators are not happy either. it is unlikely the votes would be there to confirm new interim appointments or approve the reappointment of any member who votes to circumvent the intent of clearly written legislation.” The Senate approves all appointments to the board.
TAHU Lobbyists Shannon and Mike Meroney will attend the TMB’s meeting on Friday, when the board will review the rule and public comments.
Questions? Contact
your TAHU lobbyists at:
Mike Meroney
Shannon Meroney
512-499-8880 (office)
512-731-6615 (Shannon’s mobile)
Shannon@MeroneyPublicAffairs.com
512-589-2531 (Mike’s mobile)
Mike@MeroneyPublicAffairs.com
Shannon Meroney
512-499-8880 (office)
512-731-6615 (Shannon’s mobile)
Shannon@MeroneyPublicAffairs.com
512-589-2531 (Mike’s mobile)
Mike@MeroneyPublicAffairs.com
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