Plain English summary not yet available
The full original text is available below. Check back soon as we process this bill.
      S.B. No. 2544         AN ACT   relating to eligibility for mediation of certain out-of-network   health benefit claims.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 1467.054(a), Insurance Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)   Not later than the 180th day after the date an   out-of-network provider receives an initial payment for a health   care or medical service or supply, an [ An ] out-of-network provider   or a health benefit plan issuer or administrator may request   mandatory mediation under this subchapter.          SECTION 2.  (a)  The changes in law made by this Act apply   only to a dispute regarding charges for a health care or medical   service or supply provided on or after the effective date of this   Act.          (b)  A dispute regarding charges for a health care or medical   service or supply provided before the effective date of this Act is   governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date   of this Act if mediation of the dispute under Subchapter B, Chapter   1467, Insurance Code, is requested on or before the 120th day after   the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect   for that purpose.          (c)  If mediation of a dispute under Subchapter B, Chapter   1467, Insurance Code, regarding charges for a health care or   medical service or supply provided before the effective date of   this Act is not requested on or before the 120th day after the   effective date of this Act, the dispute is not eligible for   mediation under that subchapter.          SECTION 3.  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, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2544 passed the Senate on   April 30, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that   the Senate concurred in House amendment on May  26, 2025, by the   following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2544 passed the House, with   amendment, on May 9, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 135,   Nays 5, two present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor