85R4592 MM-F     By: Gonzales of Williamson H.B. No. 2123       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the reimbursement of certain providers under the   Medicaid program for the provision of telehealth services.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 531.02171 to read as follows:          Sec. 531.02171.  REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN TELEHEALTH   SERVICES.  (a)  In this section, "health professional" has the   meaning assigned by Section 531.0217.          (b)  The commission shall ensure that Medicaid reimbursement   is provided to a school district or open-enrollment charter school   for telehealth services provided through the school district or   charter school by a health professional, even if the health   professional is not the patient's primary care physician or   provider, if:                (1)  the school district or charter school is an   authorized health care provider under Medicaid;                (2)  the parent or legal guardian of the patient   provides consent before the service is provided; and                (3)  another health professional is present with the   patient during the provision of the service.          SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act   a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a   federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,   the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or   authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the   waiver or authorization is granted.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.