Physician-Patient Communication (Medical Practice Act confidentiality)

Texas Physician-Patient Confidentiality

Health

Makes physician-patient communications and physician records of identity, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment confidential and privileged, with listed exceptions, and gives patients a right to copies within 15 business days of written consent. S.B. 922 (2025) delays online release of sensitive test results such as possible cancer findings and genetic markers until the third day after they are finalized.

Where: Texas
Citation: Tex. Occ. Code ch. 159 (159.001-159.010)
Status: In force
In force since: 1999-09-01
Last amended: 2025-09-01
Enforced by: Texas Medical Board; aggrieved patients
People can sue: Yes
Penalties: Aggrieved persons may seek expedited injunctive relief and civil damages for unauthorized release (159.009); professional discipline.
Applies to: Physicians licensed in Texas and persons who receive information from physician-patient communications or records (159.002)
Persons who administer or control a patient's electronic health record, for sensitive test results (159.0062(c))

Rights it gives people

Furnish copies of billing or medical records within 15 business days of a valid written consent, unless access would harm the patient.Tex. Occ. Code 159.006(a), (d)

Practices it requires

Keep physician-patient communications and records confidential; disclose only under the chapter's exceptions or with written consent meeting 159.005; recipients may redisclose only for the authorized purpose.Tex. Occ. Code 159.002-159.005
Do not release sensitive test results (possible malignancy, genetic markers) through a patient portal before the third day after they are finalized.Tex. Occ. Code 159.0062(b)-(c) · From 2025-09-01

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-09-24 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.

Research reference, not legal advice.