| TO: | Honorable Bill Ratliff, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB563 by Lucio (Relating to health benefit plan coverage for an enrollee with autism and pervasive developmental disorders.), As Introduced |
This bill would require health plans to provide any medically necessary treatment, equipment or therapy for the treatment of autism or a pervasive developmental disorder.
The bill would apply to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) in the Uniform Group Insurance Plan (UGIP) and could impact HMO costs. However, the impact on the UGIP would be minimal since only approximately 12 percent of UGIP enrollment is in HMO’s.
The Texas Department of Insurance would need to develop and propose new and amended rules. They would also have to review form amendments to bring previously-approved form filings into compliance with the new requirements. The agency indicates that any costs could be absorbed within current resources.
| Source Agencies: | 327 Employees Retirement System, 454 Department of Insurance
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| LBB Staff: | JK, RR, RT, RB
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