HBA-NRS S.B. 427 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 427
By: Lucio
Insurance
5/11/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The type and extent of medical care that is necessary for any given patient
is determined by that patient's physician on a case-by-case basis. Many
feel that this should be the case for all patients, regardless of their
diagnoses. Senate Bill 427 prohibits an insurance carrier from denying
coverage  for a particular treatment, equipment, or therapy to a patient
with autism or a pervasive developmental disorder.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the commissioner of insurance in
SECTION 1 (Section 4, Article 21.53X, Insurance Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 427 amends the Insurance Code to prohibit a health benefit plan
from excluding coverage or denying benefits for an enrollee for a
particular treatment, equipment, or therapy based on the enrollee's having
autism or a pervasive development disorder, in addition to providing any
required coverage for certain serious mental illnesses. The bill requires
the commissioner of insurance to adopt rules as necessary to administer
this bill. The bill specifies the health benefits plans and coverages to
which this bill applies. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001. The Act applies only to a health benefit plan delivered,
issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2002.