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.