16 Tex. Admin. Code § 130.48 - Voluntary Charity Care Status

(a) This section implements Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 112. As used in this section:

(1) "Voluntary charity care" means medical care provided for no compensation:

(A) to indigent populations;

(B) in medically underserved areas; or

(C) for a disaster relief organization.

(2) "Compensation" means direct or indirect payment of anything of monetary value, except payment or reimbursement of reasonable, necessary, and actual travel and related expenses.

(b) A practitioner may place a license on voluntary charity care status, at no cost, by submitting a completed application in a form and manner prescribed by the department.

(c) The practice by a practitioner on voluntary charity care status:

(1) is limited to voluntary charity care for which the practitioner receives no compensation of any kind for podiatric services rendered;

(2) does not include the provision of podiatric services for compensation which has monetary value of any kind;

(3) does not include the provision of podiatric services to members of the practitioner's family; and

(4) does not include the self-prescribing of controlled substances or dangerous drugs.

(d) A practitioner on voluntary charity care status must:

(1) renew the voluntary charity status every two years, at no cost, in a form and manner prescribed by the department; and

(2) complete 25 hours of CME during each renewal cycle.

(e) A practitioner on voluntary charity care status is subject to disciplinary action for:

(1) a violation of the Act or rule adopted under this chapter;

(2) obtaining, or attempting to obtain, voluntary charity care status by submitting false or misleading information to the department; or

(3) unprofessional or dishonorable conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or injure the public if the practitioner engages in the compensated practice of podiatric medicine, the provision of podiatric services to members of the practitioner's family, or the self-prescribing of controlled substances or dangerous drugs.

(f) A practitioner on voluntary charity care status must apply with the department before returning to active status by:

(1) submitting a completed application in a form and manner prescribed by the department;

(2) providing a description of the work performed while on voluntary charity care status;

(3) paying the required doctor of podiatric medicine license renewal fee under §130.60; and

(4) completing an additional 25 hours of CME to meet the doctor of podiatric medicine renewal requirements.

(g) The department may require additional information, education, examinations, or training from a podiatrist who has been on voluntary charity care status for more than two years before returning to active status.

Notes

16 Tex. Admin. Code § 130.48

Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 43, Number 42, October 19, 2018, TexReg 6958, eff. 11/1/2018; Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 47, November 22, 2024, TexReg 9546, eff. 12/1/2024