(a) In this section, “telemedicine medical service” has the meaning assigned by § 111.001, Occupations Code.
(b) A health care facility located in a county with a population of less than 30,000 may satisfy a Level IV trauma facility designation requirement relating to physicians through the use of telemedicine medical service in which an on-call physician who has special competence in the care of critically injured patients provides patient assessment, diagnosis, consultation, or treatment or transfers medical data to a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant located at the facility.

(c) In establishing the requirements for designating a facility as a Level IV trauma facility, the executive commissioner may not adopt rules that:
(1) require the physical presence or physical availability of a physician who has special competence in the care of critically injured patients; or
(2) prohibit the use of telemedicine medical service that meets the requirements of Subsection (b).