LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 7, 2003

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 or a pervasive developmental disorder.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

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 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.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

327 Employees Retirement System, 454 Department of Insurance

LBB Staff:

JK, RR, RT, RB