Relating to eligibility for mediation of certain out-of-network health benefit claims, the official text

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