Texas Comptroller Don Huffines announced Oct. 6 that he had signed an order to end sales tax on charges for medical-record systems and patient portals.
The statewide action concerns the record systems used by Comal County medical practices and patients, but the announcement does not establish a change to any particular resident’s bill. The agency identifies electronic health record systems, electronic medical record systems, patient portals and other technology used to maintain, access or share medical records as covered charges. It does not give an effective date for the proposed rule or say that every fee for obtaining a copy of a medical record is tax-free.
According to the comptroller, the order directs the agency to propose an amendment to Rule 3.342 clarifying that the listed systems are neither taxable information services nor taxable data processing services. The agency says it will file the amendment with the Texas Secretary of State, publish it in the Texas Register and allow 30 days for public comment. Residents and medical practices can inspect the comptroller’s description of the covered charges now; the published amendment and its effective date are the next records to watch.