TX HB5343

Requires health benefit plan issuers to reimburse contracted health professionals for telemedicine, teledentistry, and telehealth services at the same rate as equivalent in-person services

Expands the definition of "health professional" to explicitly include mental health professionals and qualified mental health professional community services providers with specified educational credentials (bachelor's degree or higher in relevant fields, registered nurses, or those completing HHSC alternative credentialing)

Prohibits insurers from requiring additional documentation for telehealth claims beyond what is required for the same service delivered in-person

Exempts insurers from payment parity requirements when services are part of mutually agreed upon risk-based payment arrangements, and caps reimbursement at the billed charge amount

Prohibits waiving the chapter's provisions by contract and applies to health benefit plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, with an effective date of September 1, 2025