SRC-MWN S.B. 333 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 333
By: Moncrief
Health & Human Services
6/11/2001
Enrolled

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under Texas insurance law applying to child health plans, when two or more
health insurance plans cover the same individual the plans are required to
coordinate the payment of benefits. S.B. 333 amends the child health plan
statute to clarify that child health plans are secondary plans in all
cases.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 6, Chapter 235, Acts of the 76th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1999, to require the Health and Human Services Commission
(commission) if, before implementing any provision of Chapter 62 (Child
Health Plan for Certain Low-Income Children), Health and Safety Code, as
added by this Act, or expanding coverage under the state child health plan
to include adult family members consistent with federal waiver authority,
the  commission determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal
agency is necessary for implementation of that provision or coverage
expansion, to request the waiver or authorization and authorizes the
commission to delay implementing that provision until the waiver or
authorization is granted. Requires the state child health plan or a health
benefit plan provider that provides health benefits coverage to a child
enrolled in the state child health plan to be the secondary plan when
coordinating benefits with any form of group or individual private health
benefits coverage or private insurance covering the child. Requires any
benefits paid for the child under the state child health program to pay
benefits only after private coverage benefits have been exhausted. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.