SRC-LBB H.B. 3109 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3109 78R3951 DLF-DBy: Keffer, Bill (Carona) State Affairs 5/16/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the identity of physicians or health care providers performing reviews for insurance companies as part of the utilization review process is protected under Article 21.58A, Texas Insurance Code. However, independent review organizations (IROs) face problems due to the lack of confidentiality of the identity of physicians and health care providers who perform reviews. H.B. 3109 provides for the confidentiality of the identity of health care providers or physicians making review determinations for IROs. 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 2, Article 21.58C, Insurance Code, by adding Subsection (h) to provide that information submitted by an independent review organization in an application under Subsection (d) of this section or otherwise in accordance with this article that reveals the identity of a health care provider or physician making review determinations for the organization is confidential as a trade secret. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.