SRC-JBJ H.B. 2049 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2049
By: Thompson (Madla)
Economic Development
5/10/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Insurance Code limits a health insurance carrier's ability
to prevent an insured person from seeking treatment from certain
practitioners.  Article 3.70-2(B)(Form of Policy), Insurance Code, mandates
that if an accident and sickness insurer makes benefits contingent upon
treatment of or examination by practitioners designated by the statute, the
insurer's policy must specifically list by medical classification the
included or excluded practitioners.  H.B. 2049 would include a licensed
acupuncturist and change references to the Licensed Hearing Aid Fitter and
Dispenser to a Licensed Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser. 
 
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2049 sets forth the right of a person entitled to
coverage under certain health and accident insurance policies to select
certain health care practitioners. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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, V.T.C.S., to include in
the medical classifications used to designate practitioners of the healing
arts that will or will not be recognized by an insurer, as follows:
Licensed Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser, rather than Licensed
Hearing Aid Fitter Dispenser; Licensed Acupuncturist; and Licensed Hearing
Instrument Fitter and Dispenser, rather than Licensed Hearing Aid Fitter
and Dispenser.  Defines "licensed acupuncturist." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 1, Article 21.52, Insurance Code, to redefine
"licensed audiologist," "licensed speech-language pathologist," and
"licensed hearing instrument fitter and dispenser."  Defines "licensed
acupuncturist." 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 3, Article 21.52, Insurance Code, to authorize a
beneficiary to select a licensed acupuncturist to perform the services or
procedures scheduled in the policy that fall within the scope of the
license of that practitioner.  Requires conflicting provisions to be
brought into compliance by the commissioner of insurance, rather than the
State Board of Insurance, by the use of riders, endorsements, or revised
policy forms.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 4.  Repealer:  Section 3, Article 21.52, Insurance Code (Selection
of practitioners). 

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2000.

SECTION 6.  Emergency clause.