SRC-TAG H.B. 1798 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1798 By: Farabee (Averitt) State Affairs 5/21/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Under current state law, insurers, group hospital service corporations, or health maintenance organization are required to provide each enrollee residing in this state evidence of coverage under a health care plan. Electronic transfer of an evidence of coverage would enable essential health care plan coverage information to be provided in a more effecient manner and might reduce administrative expenses. H.B. 1798 authorizes the electronic delivery of an evidence of coverage by agreement. 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 9(a), Texas Health Maintenance Organization Act (Article 20A.09, V.T.C.S), to provide that by agreement between the insurer, group hospital service corporation, or health maintenance organization and the subscriber, or the person entitled to receive the policy, contract, or evidence of coverage, the evidence of coverage required by this section may be delivered by electronic transfer. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.