C.S.H.B. 3023 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 3023
By: Taylor
Insurance
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Article 21.52 (Right to Select Practitioner Under Health and Accident
Policies) of the Insurance Code prohibits an insurer from discriminating
against health care practitioners with regard to payment or reimbursement.
C.S.H.B. 3023 specifies that certain provisions relating to discrimination
against health care practitioners with regard to payment or reimbursement
do not apply to cost-sharing amounts to be paid by a covered person.   

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. 3023 amends the Insurance Code to specify that certain provisions
relating to discrimination against health care practitioners with regard
to payment or reimbursement do not apply to cost-sharing amounts to be
paid by a covered person, such as coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles,
and apply only to the rate of payment or reimbursement under a health
insurance policy 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute conforms the original to Texas Legislative Council style
and format.