Texas is on the cusp of more closely regulating how freestanding emergency departments display insurance and pricing information, as well as how much they can charge, according to The Texas Tribune.
The following two bills await the signature of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott:
- House Bill 2041: This bill will require independent and hospital-affiliated freestanding EDs to provide patients with print-outs in English and Spanish listing in-network plans and average procedure prices, including facility fees. EDs will not be allowed to say they accept a plan if that plan is not in network.
- House Bill 1832: This bill would allow the state to take legal action against freestanding EDs that charge 200 percent more than average hospital charges.
If signed into law, both bills go into effect Sept. 1, according to the report.
Texas has more than 200 freestanding EDs and was the first state to license independent freestanding EDs. Read the full story here.
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