| (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.
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