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.