H.B. 3109 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3109 By: Keffer, Bill Insurance Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND 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 Texas Insurance Code 21.58A. However, Independent Review Organizations face problems due to the lack of confidentiality of physicians and health care providers who perform reviews. Confidentiality of reviewers is necessary to secure and retain well trained, qualified physicians and other medical providers who are in active practice. H.B. 3109 provides for the confidentiality of the identity of health care providers or physicians making review determinations for Independent Review Organizations. 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 House Bill 3109 amends the Insurance Code to specify that information submitted by an Independent Review Organization (IRO) in a certification application or otherwise under IRO provisions that reveals the identity of a health care provider or physician making review determinations for the organization is confidential as a trade secret. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003.