AN ACT 1-1 relating to contracts between podiatrists and health care plans. 1-2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-3 SECTION 1. Section 3, Article 3.70-3C, Insurance Code, as 1-4 added by Chapter 1024, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular 1-5 Session, 1997, is amended by adding Subsection (n) to read as 1-6 follows: 1-7 (n) A preferred provider contract between an insurer and a 1-8 podiatrist licensed by the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical 1-9 Examiners must provide that: 1-10 (1) the podiatrist may request, and the insurer shall 1-11 provide not later than the 30th day after the date of the request, 1-12 a copy of the coding guidelines and payment schedules applicable to 1-13 the compensation that the podiatrist will receive under the 1-14 contract for services; 1-15 (2) the insurer may not unilaterally make material 1-16 retroactive revisions to the coding guidelines and payment 1-17 schedules; and 1-18 (3) the podiatrist may, practicing within the scope of 1-19 the law regulating podiatry, furnish x-rays and nonprefabricated 1-20 orthotics covered by the health insurance policy. 1-21 SECTION 2. Section 18A, Texas Health Maintenance 1-22 Organization Act (Article 20A.18A, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code), 1-23 as added by Chapter 1026, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular 1-24 Session, 1997, is amended by adding Subsection (j) to read as 2-1 follows: 2-2 (j) A contract between a health maintenance organization and 2-3 a podiatrist licensed by the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical 2-4 Examiners must provide that: 2-5 (1) the podiatrist may request, and the insurer shall 2-6 provide not later than the 30th day after the date of the request, 2-7 a copy of the coding guidelines and payment schedules applicable to 2-8 the compensation that the podiatrist will receive under the 2-9 contract for services; 2-10 (2) the insurer may not unilaterally make material 2-11 retroactive revisions to the coding guidelines and payment 2-12 schedules; and 2-13 (3) the podiatrist may, practicing within the scope of 2-14 the law regulating podiatry, furnish x-rays and nonprefabricated 2-15 orthotics covered by the evidence of coverage. 2-16 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and 2-17 applies only to a contract between an insurer or health maintenance 2-18 organization and a podiatrist that is entered into on or after the 2-19 effective date of this Act. A contract entered into before the 2-20 effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect 2-21 immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is 2-22 continued in effect for that purpose. 2-23 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 2-24 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-25 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-26 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several S.B. No. 781 3-1 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. ________________________________ ________________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 781 passed the Senate on April 20, 1999, by a viva-voce vote; May 18, 1999, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 20, 1999, House granted request of the Senate; May 27, 1999, Senate adopted Conference Committee Report by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 781 passed the House, with amendments, on May 13, 1999, by a non-record vote; May 20, 1999, House granted request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee; May 26, 1999, House adopted Conference Committee Report by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ________________________________ Date ________________________________ Governor