78R638 DLF-D

By:  Uresti                                                       H.B. No. 1345



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to information provided by certain health benefit plans 
through the Internet.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 21, Insurance Code, is 
amended by adding Article 21.71A to read as follows:
	Art. 21.71A.  HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN INTERNET SITE. (a)  This 
article applies to:
		(1)  a health maintenance organization; and                            
		(2)  an insurer, a group hospital service corporation, 
a fraternal benefit society, a stipulated premium insurer, a 
reciprocal or interinsurance exchange, a multiple employer welfare 
arrangement that holds a certificate of authority under Chapter 
846, and an approved nonprofit health corporation, that offers or 
administers:
			(A)  a preferred provider plan, as defined by 
Article 3.70-3C of this code, as added by Chapter 1024, Acts of the 
75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997;
			(B)  a point-of-service plan, as described by 
Article 26.09 of this code; or
			(C)  any other health benefit plan in which 
enrollees are  required to obtain health care services from 
specified physicians or providers or receive a financial incentive 
to obtain health care services from specified physicians or 
providers.
	(b)  An entity subject to this article shall maintain an 
Internet site on which the entity lists physicians and providers, 
including mental health providers and substance abuse treatment 
providers, if appropriate, that may be used by enrollees in 
accordance with the terms of the plan in which the enrollee is 
enrolled.  The listing must identify those physicians and providers 
who continue to be available to provide services to new patients or 
clients.
	(c)  An entity subject to this article shall update at least 
quarterly the Internet site required by this article.
	(d)  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to 
implement this article.  The rules may govern the form and content 
of the Internet site required by this article.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           
	SECTION 3.  An entity subject to Article 21.71A, Insurance 
Code, as added by this Act, is not required to initially provide the 
Internet site required by this Act before January 1, 2004.