Bill > HB251

This bill modifies Texas health care facility billing practices by introducing new requirements for price estimates and billing transparency. The bill defines an "estimate" as a written statement outlining the total amount a facility will accept as payment for a nonemergency elective medical service, and requires facilities to provide these estimates within 24 hours of a patient's request, either in person, by email, or through an online patient portal. The legislation stipulates that final billed charges cannot exceed the original estimate by more than 5% unless the additional charges are due to unforeseeable medical complications or changes in diagnosis. If charges do exceed the estimate by more than 5%, the facility must provide a written explanation detailing the reasons for the increase. Additionally, facilities that fail to comply with these requirements may face significant penalties, including being prohibited from collecting payment, reporting to credit bureaus, or pursuing legal action against the patient. The new rules will apply to estimate requests made on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, and are designed to provide patients with more upfront information about potential medical costs and protect them from unexpected billing surprises.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB251