Bill > SB488

This bill relates to the practice of dentistry and the provision of teledentistry dental services. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. It expands the definition of "telemedicine" in state law to include "teledentistry," which refers to dental services provided remotely using telecommunications or information technology. 2. It requires dentists to obtain informed consent from patients before providing teledentistry services and to ensure patient confidentiality. 3. It authorizes the State Board of Dental Examiners to adopt rules to ensure appropriate, quality care and prevent abuse and fraud in the use of teledentistry services. 4. It establishes standards for the practitioner-patient relationship and the standard of care for teledentistry services, which must be comparable to in-person dental services. 5. It requires the Medicaid program to provide reimbursement for teledentistry services at the same rate as in-person dental services, and prohibits managed care organizations from limiting a dentist's choice of platform for providing teledentistry. 6. It clarifies that health professionals providing teledentistry services must be licensed in the same manner as for in-person dental services.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=SB488