C.S.H.B. 3022 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3022 By: Taylor Insurance Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND 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. C.S.H.B. 3022 provides that provisions relating to the applicability of preferred providers shall not be construed to limit the level of reimbursement or coverage that are applicable to preferred or nonpreferred providers 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 C.S.H.B. 3022 amends the Insurance Code to provide that nothing in certain provisions regarding the availability of preferred providers shall be construed to limit the level of reimbursement or coverage, including deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing provisions, that are applicable to preferred or nonpreferred providers. The bill removes the authority of the Commissioner of Insurance (Commissioner) to adopt rules about basic level benefits. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute conforms the original to Texas Legislative Council style and format.