Sec. 32.201. DEFINITIONS

In this subchapter:

(1) "Electronic health record" means electronically originated and maintained health and claims information regarding the health status of an individual that may be derived from multiple sources and includes the following core functionalities:

(A) a patient health and claims information or data entry function to aid with medical diagnosis, nursing assessment, medication lists, allergy recognition, demographics, clinical narratives, and test results;

(B) a results management function that may include computerized laboratory test results, diagnostic imaging reports, interventional radiology reports, and automated displays of past and present medical or laboratory test results;

(C) a computerized physician order entry of medication, care orders, and ancillary services;

(D) clinical decision support that may include electronic reminders and prompts to improve prevention, diagnosis, and management; and

(E) electronic communication and connectivity that allows online communication:

(i) among physicians and health care providers; and

(ii) among the Health and Human Services Commission, the operating agencies, and participating providers.

(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.

(3) "Health care provider" means a person, other than a physician, who is licensed or otherwise authorized to provide a health care service in this state.

(4) "Health information technology" means information technology used to improve the quality, safety, or efficiency of clinical practice, including the core functionalities of an electronic health record, electronic medical record, computerized physician or health care provider order entry, electronic prescribing, and clinical decision support technology.

(5) "Operating agency" means a health and human services agency operating part of the medical assistance program.

(6) "Participating provider" means a physician or health care provider who is a provider of medical assistance, including a physician or health care provider who contracts or otherwise agrees with a managed care organization to provide medical assistance under this chapter.

(7) "Physician" means an individual licensed to practice medicine in this state under the authority of Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code, or a person that is:

(A) a professional association of physicians formed under the Texas Professional Association Law, as described by Section 1.008, Business Organizations Code;

(B) an approved nonprofit health corporation certified under Chapter 162, Occupations Code, that employs or contracts with physicians to provide medical services;

(C) a medical and dental unit, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, a medical school, as defined by Section 61.501, Education Code, or a health science center described by Subchapter K, Chapter 74, Education Code, that employs or contracts with physicians to teach or provide medical services, or employs physicians and contracts with physicians in a practice plan; or

(D) a person wholly owned by a person described by Paragraph (A), (B), or (C).

(8) "Recipient" means a recipient of medical assistance.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 268 , Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2007. Renumbered from Human Resources Code, Section 32.101 by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 , Sec. 27.001(57), eff. September 1, 2009.