Sec. 1056.0625.  EMPLOYMENT OF PHYSICIANS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.  (a)  The board may employ physicians or other health care providers as the board considers necessary for the efficient operation of the district.
(b)  The board shall adopt and maintain policies to ensure that a physician employed under this section exercises independent medical judgment when providing care to patients at the hospital operated by the district. The policies adopted under this subsection must include policies relating to:
(1)  credentialing;
(2)  quality assurance;
(3)  utilization review;
(4)  peer review;
(5)  medical decision-making; and
(6)  due process.
(c)  A physician employed by the district under this section is subject to the same standards and procedures regarding credentialing, peer review, quality of care, and privileges as a physician not employed by the district.
(d)  The district shall give equal consideration regarding the issuance of credentials and privileges to physicians employed by the hospital and physicians not employed by the district.
(e)  A physician employed by the district shall retain independent medical judgment in providing care to patients at the hospital operated by the district and may not be penalized for reasonably advocating for patient care.
(f)  This section may not be construed as altering, voiding, or prohibiting any relationship between a hospital and a physician, including a contract or arrangement with an approved nonprofit health corporation that is certified under Section 162.001(b), Occupations Code, and that holds a certificate of authority issued under Chapter 844, Insurance Code.
(g)  A contract to employ a physician under this section may not include a covenant not to compete on termination of the contract.
(h)  This section may not be construed to authorize the board to supervise or control the practice of medicine, as prohibited by Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 91 (S.B. 1303), Sec. 22.003(a), eff. September 1, 2011.