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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 333
By: Moncrief
Health & Human Services
4/10/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)

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. C.S.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. Provides that in the event of lapse in coverage,
the state child health program, or a health benefit plan provider that
provides health benefits coverage to a child enrolled in the state child
health program, is required 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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. Amends As Filed S.B. 333, Chapter 235(6), Acts of the 76th
Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, to add new proposed text regarding the
state child health program being the secondary plan.