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HB 3150

AN ACT relating to billing and reimbursement for certain medical

House Bill
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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Committee

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Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

Regulates billing practices for medical equipment by nonparticipating suppliers who provide durable medical equipment, orthotic devices, and prosthetic devices to Medicare enrollees. The legislation limits these suppliers to charging no more than 115% of the Medicare-approved amount, and requires explicit written consent from the patient before charging additional fees, with clear disclosure about Medicare's 80% reimbursement and potential supplement plan limitations. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges with fines between $500-$1,000, and suppliers who breach the law can be subject to deceptive trade practices penalties.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to billing and reimbursement for certain medical
equipment, devices, and supplies provided to Medicare enrollees;
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subtitle C, Title 5, Insurance Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 566 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 566.  BILLING FOR CERTAIN MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, DEVICES, AND
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 566.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "Assignment" means an agreement in which a
supplier agrees to accept the Medicare-approved amount as payment
for medical equipment or a medical device or supply.
(2)  "Durable medical equipment" means medical
(A)  can withstand repeated use;
(B)  is expected to last at least three years;
(C)  is primarily and customarily used to serve a
(D)  is generally not useful in the absence of an
(E)  is appropriate for use in the home.
(3)  "Enrollee" means an individual enrolled in
(4)  "Medicare" means the health benefit coverage
provided under the Health Insurance for the Aged Act (42 U.S.C.
(5)  "Nonparticipating supplier" means an entity or
(A)  provides Medicare-covered durable medical
equipment, orthotic devices or supplies, or prosthetic devices or
supplies to Medicare enrollees; and
(B)  is not enrolled in Medicare as a
(6)  "Orthotic device or supply" means:
(A)  a custom-fitted or custom-fabricated medical
device designed to correct a deformity, improve function, or
relieve symptoms of a disease; or
(B)  a medical supply related to a device
(7)  "Prosthetic device or supply" means:
(A)  an artificial medical device designed to
replace all or part of a limb or internal organ; or
(B)  a medical supply related to a device
SUBCHAPTER B.  REGULATION OF CERTAIN BILLING PRACTICES
Sec. 566.051.  LIMITATIONS ON BILLING; NOTICE.  (a)  A
nonparticipating supplier may not charge an enrollee more than 115
percent of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical
equipment, orthotic devices or supplies, or prosthetic devices or
supplies covered under Medicare for which the supplier has not
accepted written assignment unless:
(1)  before the enrollee is billed, the enrollee agrees
in writing to pay the additional amount; and
(2)  before receiving the durable medical equipment,
orthotic device or supply, or prosthetic device or supply, the
enrollee pays the additional amount in full.
(b)  A written agreement between a nonparticipating supplier
and enrollee under this section must provide notice to the enrollee
(1)  Medicare will reimburse 80 percent of the
Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment, orthotic
devices or supplies, or prosthetic devices or supplies covered
(2)  a Medicare supplement benefit plan issuer is not
required to reimburse the nonparticipating supplier or enrollee for
the amount by which the charge exceeds 115 percent of the
Sec. 566.101.  APPLICATION OF DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES LAW.
A nonparticipating supplier who violates this chapter engages in a
false, misleading, or deceptive act or practice under Section
17.46, Business & Commerce Code.
Sec. 566.102.  CRIMINAL OFFENSE.  (a)  A nonparticipating
supplier who intentionally violates this chapter commits an
(b)  An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000.
(c)  Notwithstanding any other law, an offense under this
(2)  a county in which prosecution is authorized under
the Code of Criminal Procedure.
SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 1652, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1652.059 to read as follows:
Sec. 1652.059.  REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN MEDICAL
EQUIPMENT, DEVICES, AND SUPPLIES.  (a)  In this section, terms
defined by Section 566.001 have the meanings assigned by that
(b)  A Medicare supplement benefit plan issuer is not
required to reimburse an enrollee or nonparticipating supplier for
the amount by which a charge for durable medical equipment,
orthotic devices or supplies, or prosthetic devices or supplies
exceeds 115 percent of the Medicare-allowed amount for the
(c)  This section does not prohibit a Medicare supplement
benefit plan issuer and a nonparticipating supplier from
negotiating a level and type of reimbursement for durable medical
equipment or orthotic or prosthetic devices or supplies.
SECTION 3.  Chapter 566, Insurance Code, as added by this
Act, applies only to durable medical equipment or orthotic or
prosthetic devices or supplies sold on or after the effective date
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to billing and reimbursement for certain medical