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                                                                  S.B. No. 494




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.  Article 3.70-3C, Insurance Code, as added by 
Chapter 1024, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, 
is amended by adding Section 6A to read as follows:
	Sec. 6A.  INFORMATION AVAILABLE THROUGH INTERNET SITE.  
(a)  An insurer subject to this article that maintains an Internet 
site shall list on the Internet site the preferred providers, 
including, if appropriate, mental health providers and substance 
abuse treatment providers, that may be used by insureds in 
accordance with the terms of the insured's preferred provider 
benefit plan.  The listing must identify those preferred providers 
who continue to be available to provide services to new patients or 
clients.
	(b)  The insurer shall update at least quarterly an Internet 
site subject to this section.
	(c)  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to 
implement this section.  The rules may govern the form and content 
of the information required to be provided under Subsection (a) of 
this section.
	(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, 
this section applies to an entity subject to Chapter 941 or 942 of 
this code and to a multiple employer welfare arrangement that holds 
a certificate of authority under Chapter 846 of this code.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter F, Chapter 842, Insurance Code, as 
effective June 1, 2003, is amended by adding Section 842.261 to read 
as follows:
	Sec. 842.261.  INFORMATION AVAILABLE THROUGH INTERNET SITE.  
(a)  A group hospital service corporation that maintains an 
Internet site shall list on the Internet site the physicians and 
health care providers, including, if appropriate, mental health 
providers and substance abuse treatment providers, that may be used 
by members in accordance with the terms of the policy or certificate 
applicable to the member.  The listing must identify those 
physicians and health care providers who continue to be available 
to provide services to new patients or clients.
	(b)  The group hospital service corporation shall update at 
least quarterly an Internet site subject to this section.
	(c)  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to 
implement this section.  The rules may govern the form and content 
of the information required to be provided under Subsection (a).
	SECTION 3.  Subchapter F, Chapter 843, Insurance Code, as 
effective June 1, 2003, is amended by adding Section 843.2015 to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 843.2015.  INFORMATION AVAILABLE THROUGH INTERNET 
SITE.  (a)  A health maintenance organization that maintains an 
Internet site shall list on the Internet site the physicians and 
providers, including, if appropriate, mental health providers and 
substance abuse treatment providers, that may be used by enrollees 
in accordance with the terms of the enrollee's health care plan.  
The listing must identify those physicians and providers who 
continue to be available to provide services to new patients or 
clients.
	(b)  The health maintenance organization shall update at 
least quarterly an Internet site subject to this section.
	(c)  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to 
implement this section.  The rules may govern the form and content 
of the information required to be provided under Subsection (a).
	SECTION 4.  An insurer, group hospital service corporation, 
or health maintenance organization is not required to comply with 
the change in law made by this Act before January 1, 2004.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           

                                                                              




______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 494 passed the Senate on 
March 24, 2003, by a viva-voce vote.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 494 passed the House on 
May 28, 2003, by a non-record vote.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor