By:  Taylor                                                       H.B. No. 3022



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to availability of preferred providers.                              
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 8, Article 3.70-3C, Insurance Code, 
subsection (a) is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 8.  AVAILABILITY OF PREFERRED PROVIDERS.  (a)  Any 
insurer offering a preferred provider benefit plan must ensure that 
both preferred provider benefits and basic level benefits are 
reasonably available to all insureds within a designated service 
area.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the 
preferred provider or nonpreferred provider level of reimbursement 
or level of coverage including the deductibles, copayments, 
coinsurance or other cost-sharing provisions.
	SECTION 2.  Section 9, Article 3.70-3C, Insurance Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 9.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.  The commissioner shall adopt 
rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this article and 
to ensure reasonable accessibility and the availability of 
preferred providers and basic level benefitsto Texas citizens.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.