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.