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Bill

HB 2631

Relating to prohibited facility fees for telehealth and telemedicine medical services; providing an administrative penalty.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Caroline Harris Davila

Texas bill prohibits healthcare facilities from charging facility fees for telehealth services and establishes administrative penalties for violations.

Referred to Public Health
#health&humanservicescommission(v0177) #healthcareproviders(i0387) #hospitals(i0400) #telemedicine(s0219)
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Bill Summary · HB 2631

Legislative bill overview

HB 2631 prohibits healthcare facilities from charging facility fees to patients using telehealth and telemedicine services. The bill establishes administrative penalties for violations of this prohibition, creating enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.

Why is this important

Telehealth has become a critical access point for healthcare, particularly for rural and underserved populations. Facility fees—charges separate from provider fees—can significantly increase out-of-pocket costs and create financial barriers to remote care, potentially undermining the cost-effectiveness advantage of telehealth services that many patients rely on.

Potential points of contention

  • Facility cost recovery: Healthcare facilities argue that facility fees reflect real operational costs (staff, equipment, infrastructure) regardless of service delivery method, and prohibiting these fees may strain facility budgets or reduce telehealth availability
  • Definitional ambiguity: Questions about what constitutes a "facility fee" versus a legitimate service charge, potentially creating compliance confusion and litigation
  • Market competitiveness: Independent telehealth providers operating without physical facilities may gain competitive advantages over hospital-based telehealth programs, potentially fragmenting care coordination

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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