SRC-DPW H.B. 2424 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2424
76R10917 DLF-DBy: Coleman (Madla)
Economic Development
5/13/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

The 75th Texas Legislature amended Article 3.51-14 of the Insurance Code,
which relates to coverage for certain serious mental illnesses. In the
Insurance Code, however, some conflicting language exists regarding serious
mental illnesses with respect to the Texas State Employees Uniform Group
Insurance Benefits Act, the Texas State College and University Employees
Uniform Insurance Benefits Act, and local government insurance provisions.
As a result, the Texas Department of Insurance has encountered difficulties
in the application of Article 3.51-14. This bill would  redefine "serious
mental illness" and modify the language of that article to specify that it
does not apply to coverage under the aforementioned plans. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2424 sets forth guidelines for the application of certain
coverage requirements for serious mental illness. 

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 3(a)(19), Article 3.50-2, V.T.C.S.,  redesignated
as Section 3(a)(23), Article 3.50-2, V.T.C.S., to redefine "serious mental
illness" to have the meaning assigned by Section 1, Article 3.51-14,
Insurance Code and deleting the definition of the term by the American
Psychiatric Association.   

SECTION 2. Amends Section 3(a)(16), Article 3.50-3, V.T.C.S.,  redesignated
as Section 3(a)(19), Article 3.50-3, V.T.C.S., make a conforming change. 

SECTION 3. Amends Article 3.51-5A(b), Insurance Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 2(b), Article 3.51-14, Insurance Code, to provide
that this article does not apply to coverage under a limited or
specified-disease policy, other than a plan that provides benefits for
mental health care or similar services; a plan offered under the Texas
Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act (Article 3.50-2, V.T.C.S.)
or the Texas State College and University Employees Uniform Insurance
Benefits Act (Article 3.50-3, V.T.C.S.) or in accordance with Article
3.51-5A of this Code; or a medicare supplement policy as defined by Section
1(b)(3), Article 3.74, of this code. 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 3(a), Article 3.51-14, Insurance Code, to require
a group health benefit plan to include the same amount of copayments for
serious mental illness as for physical illness. 

SECTION 6. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 7. Emergency clause.