Sec. 162.251.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
(1)  "Direct fee" means a fee charged by a physician to a patient or a patient's designee for primary medical care services provided by, or to be provided by, the physician to the patient.  The term includes a fee in any form, including a:
(A)  monthly retainer;
(B)  membership fee;
(C)  subscription fee;
(D)  fee paid under a medical service agreement; or
(E)  fee for a service, visit, or episode of care.
(2)  "Direct primary care" means a primary medical care service provided by a physician to a patient in return for payment in accordance with a direct fee.  The term includes telemedicine medical services and telehealth services, as those terms are defined by Section 111.001, provided using a technology platform.
(3)  "Medical service agreement" means a signed written agreement under which a physician agrees to provide direct primary care services for a patient in exchange for a direct fee for a period of time that is entered into by the physician and:
(A)  the patient;
(B)  the patient's legal representative, guardian, or employer on behalf of the patient; or
(C)  the patient's legal representative's or guardian's employer on behalf of the patient.
(4)  "Physician" includes a professional association or professional limited liability company owned entirely by an individual licensed under this subtitle.
(5)  "Primary medical care service" means a routine or general health care service of the type provided at the time a patient seeks preventive care or first seeks health care services for a specific health concern, is a patient's main source for regular health care services, and includes:
(A)  promoting and maintaining mental and physical health and wellness;
(B)  preventing disease;
(C)  screening, diagnosing, and treating acute or chronic conditions caused by disease, injury, or illness;
(D)  providing patient counseling and education; and
(E)  providing a broad spectrum of preventive and curative health care over a period of time.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 165 (H.B. 1945), Sec. 1, eff. May 28, 2015.
Amended by: 
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 964 (S.B. 670), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019.