TX SB1219

Requires health care facilities to provide price estimates within 24 hours of request (reduced from 10 business days) for nonemergency elective procedures, delivered in person, by email, or through patient portal at consumer's choice

Defines "estimate" as a written statement of the total amount a facility will accept as full payment, inclusive of all payment sources, for nonemergency elective medical services

Caps final billed charges at no more than 5% above the provided estimate, unless additional charges result from unavoidable complications during the procedure or a change in diagnosis not discoverable beforehand

Requires facilities to provide patients a written explanation detailing the difference between the estimate and final bill, including a plain-language description of any complications or diagnosis changes, when charges exceed the estimate by more than 5%

Prohibits facilities that violate these requirements from collecting payment, taking collection actions, reporting consumers to credit bureaus, or pursuing legal action against the consumer, and subjects violating facilities to enforcement action by licensing agencies