By Nelson S.B. No. 130 76R3283 PB-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to certain unfair practices by insurers and certain 1-3 related entities regarding preferred providers of health care. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Article 3.70-3C, Insurance Code, as added by 1-6 Chapter 1024, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, 1-7 is amended by adding Section 7A to read as follows: 1-8 Sec. 7A. MISREPRESENTATION REGARDING DISCOUNT PROHIBITED. 1-9 (a) This section applies to: 1-10 (1) an insurer; 1-11 (2) an agent of an insurer; and 1-12 (3) an administrator regulated under Article 21.07-6 1-13 of this code. 1-14 (b) A person to whom this section applies may not represent 1-15 to a physician or health care provider that the person is entitled 1-16 to a preferred provider discount or other discount in the fees 1-17 charged by the physician or provider for services rendered to an 1-18 insured if the person: 1-19 (1) knows that the person is not entitled to that 1-20 discount; or 1-21 (2) is not a party to the original contract or 1-22 agreement for the preferred provider discount or other discount in 1-23 fees. 1-24 (c) This section may not be waived by contract. 2-1 (d) A person who violates this section commits an unfair act 2-2 or deceptive practice in violation of Articles 21.21 and 21.21-2 of 2-3 this code. 2-4 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-5 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-6 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-7 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-8 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-9 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-10 passage, and it is so enacted.