SRC-JEC H.B. 3022 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3022
78R9527 PB-FBy: Taylor (Williams)
State Affairs
5/20/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current state law, insurers offering preferred provider benefit
plans must ensure that both preferred provider benefits and basic level
benefits are reasonably available to all insureds within a designated
service area.  H.B. 3022 specifies that the requirements for those
insurers to make those plans available cannot be construed to limit the
level of reimbursement or level of coverage.  It also deletes the
requirement that the commissioner of insurance adopt rules to ensure
reasonable access to basic-level benefits. 

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 8(a), Article 3.70-3C, Insurance Code, as added
by Chapter 1024, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, to
provide that this subsection may not be construed to limit the level of
reimbursement or the level of coverage, including deductibles, copayments,
coinsurance, or other cost-sharing provisions, that are applicable to
preferred providers or nonpreferred providers. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 9, Article 3.70-3C, Insurance Code, as added by
Chapter 1024, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, to
require the commissioner of insurance to adopt rules as necessary to
implement the provisions of this article and to ensure reasonable
accessibility and availability of preferred provider services, rather than
preferred provider and basic level benefits, to Texas citizens. 

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2004. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.