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Bill

SB 392

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

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Kevin Sparks

SB 392 bans Texas healthcare facilities from charging facility fees for telehealth services and imposes administrative penalties for violations.

Referred to Health & Human Services
#health&humanservicescommission(v0177) #healthcareproviders(i0387) #hospitals(i0400) #telemedicine(s0219)
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Bill Summary · SB 392

Legislative bill overview

SB 392 prohibits healthcare facilities from charging facility fees to patients receiving telehealth and telemedicine services. The bill establishes administrative penalties for violations of this restriction, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket costs for remote medical visits.

Why is this important

Facility fees have become a significant cost driver in healthcare, often appearing as surprise charges on telehealth visits despite no physical facility being used. This bill directly addresses patient affordability by eliminating a revenue stream that has frustrated consumers and policymakers alike. The measure could make remote healthcare more accessible and transparent for Texas residents.

Potential points of contention

  • Provider revenue impact: Healthcare facilities and hospitals rely on facility fees as revenue sources; eliminating them for telehealth services reduces income without offsetting compensation mechanisms specified in the bill.
  • Definitional clarity: The bill's scope depends on how "facility fees" and "telehealth/telemedicine services" are defined; ambiguity could create compliance challenges or loopholes.
  • Administrative enforcement: The penalty structure and enforcement mechanisms are not detailed in available summaries, raising questions about regulatory feasibility and consistency.

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

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