🟡An Act relating to the timely billing of health care services related to a personal injury claim.

HB 4145

🟡 HB 4145: Lets attorneys, not patients, receive medical bills in injury cases

What it says it does:
HB 4145 updates Texas billing law so health care providers can send bills for personal injury treatment to a patient’s attorney instead of directly to the patient. The author says it closes a loophole that let patients dispute bills if they were mailed to their lawyer.

What it actually changes:
This shifts billing control away from patients and toward attorneys. Providers can now meet the 11-month billing deadline by sending the bill to the lawyer, not the person who received the treatment. Patients can opt out, but only if they know to request it.

Who is pushing for it:
The Texas Chiropractic Association testified in support in both the House and Senate. Witnesses included Shawn McHone and Dr. Korey Rose. No patient or consumer groups are listed in the files as supporting or opposing the bill.

Who benefits:
Providers, especially chiropractors who handle accident cases, gain protection from losing payment because of billing disputes. Personal injury attorneys also gain control of billing documents that affect settlement negotiations.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Patients could be left unaware of their real medical costs until months later. The bill does not guarantee that patients receive copies of bills sent to attorneys, creating a risk of surprise charges or limited ability to question errors.

Why this matters long term:
By redefining who receives key financial documents, this bill creates a model where intermediaries, not individuals, manage critical information. It reduces transparency for patients and could set a precedent for similar shifts in other areas of health care or insurance.

What to watch next:
Future sessions may see providers or attorneys seek to expand this “attorney as billing recipient” model. Texans should push for amendments requiring automatic patient copies and clearer disclosure rights.

Bottom line:
HB 4145 fixes a paperwork problem for providers but weakens direct billing visibility for Texans dealing with injury cases. Convenience for professionals shouldn’t come at the expense of patients knowing what they owe.

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