BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 1410 By: Harris Economic Development 04-27-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Insurance Code requires that certain accident and sickness insurance policies designate which health care practitioners the insurer will recognize for providing services. The policies must use terms set forth and defined by the Insurance Code. Chemical dependency counselors licensed by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse are currently not defined or included among the list of practitioners set forth by the Insurance Code. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1410 includes the services of licensed chemical dependency counselors in certain health insurance coverage. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 2(B), Article 3.70-2, Insurance Code, as follows: (B) Prohibits a policy of accident and sickness insurance from making benefits contingent upon treatment or examination by a particular practitioner of the healing arts unless such policy contains a provision designating the practitioner who will be recognized by the insurer and who will not be recognized by the insurer. Adds licensed chemical dependency counselor to the list of practitioners who will and will not be recognized. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Amends Sections 1 and 3, Article 21.52, Insurance Code, to define "licensed chemical dependency counselor." Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995. Makes application of this Act prospective beginning January 1, 1996. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.