H.B. 1798 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1798 By: Farabee Insurance Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current state law, insurers, group hospital service corporations, or health maintenance organizations 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 efficient manner and may reduce administrative expenses. H.B. 1798 authorizes the electronic delivery of an evidence of coverage by agreement. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 1798 amends the Insurance Code to authorize the electronic transfer of an evidence of coverage, 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. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.