SRC-JXG S.B. 1029 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1029
By: Madla
Economic Development
4/19/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Insurance Code prohibits health insurance carriers from
discriminating against particular practitioners of the healing arts. S.B.
1029 would prevent discrimination against  licensed acupuncturists or
doctors of oriental medicine, require a health insurance policy to state
whether it does or does not cover acupuncture, and allow an acupuncture
patient to obtain treatment paid by the health insurance plan, if the
patient has a disorder that could be treated within the scope and practice
of acupuncture. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1029 includes a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of
oriental medicine under a policy of health and accident insurance.  

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 Subsection (B), Section 2, Article 3.70-2, V.T.C.S., as
amended by Chapters 946 and 1260, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular
Session, 1997, to require an accident and sickness insurance to include an
exception provision, which must include licensed acupuncturist or doctor of
oriental medicine, in designating the practitioners who will and will not
be recognized. Defines licensed acupuncturist or doctor of oriental
medicine. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 3, Article 21.52, Insurance Code, as amended by
Chapters 429 and 541, Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995,
and Chapter 946, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, to
authorize any person who is issued, who is a party to, or who is a
beneficiary under any health insurance policy delivered, renewed, or issued
for delivery in this state by any insurance company, association, or
organization to which this article applies to select a licensed
acupuncturist or doctor of oriental medicine to perform the services or
procedures scheduled in the policy that fall within the scope of the
license of that practitioner. Makes conforming changes.  

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.