Bill > HB1021

This bill expands the definition of "health professional" in Texas insurance code to include additional categories of mental health professionals and practitioners. Specifically, the bill adds mental health professionals to the existing definition and creates a new category of qualified mental health professional community services providers who can be credentialed if they meet specific educational or professional qualifications. These qualifications include holding a bachelor's or advanced degree in various fields related to human services, being a registered nurse, or completing an alternative credentialing process identified by the Health and Human Services Commission. The bill also removes a requirement for in-person counseling, potentially making telehealth mental health services more accessible. The changes will apply to health benefit plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, giving healthcare providers and insurance companies time to adapt to the new definitions. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and aims to broaden the scope of telemedicine and telehealth services, particularly in the mental health sector.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1021