79R2765 PB-F
By: Delisi H.B. No. 584
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to reimbursement under certain health benefit plans for
services provided by licensed athletic trainers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 843, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 843.3121 to read as follows:
Sec. 843.3121. ATHLETIC TRAINERS. A health maintenance
organization may not refuse to contract with an athletic trainer,
as defined by Section 451.001, Occupations Code, to be included in
the organization's provider network or refuse to reimburse the
athletic trainer for a covered service that a physician has
requested the athletic trainer to perform.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 1301, Insurance Code, as
effective April 1, 2005, is amended by adding Section 1301.0522 to
read as follows:
Sec. 1301.0522. DESIGNATION OF LICENSED ATHLETIC TRAINER AS
PREFERRED PROVIDER. An insurer offering a preferred provider
benefit plan may not refuse to contract with an athletic trainer, as
defined by Section 451.001, Occupations Code, to be included in the
provider network or refuse to reimburse the athletic trainer for a
covered service that a physician has requested the athletic trainer
to perform.
SECTION 3. Section 1451.001, Insurance Code, as effective
April 1, 2005, is amended by adding Subsection (8-a) to read as
follows:
(8-a) "Licensed athletic trainer" means an individual
licensed by the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers.
SECTION 4. Subchapter C, Chapter 1451, Insurance Code, as
effective April 1, 2005, is amended by adding Section 1451.1201 to
read as follows:
Sec. 1451.1201. SELECTION OF LICENSED ATHLETIC TRAINER. An
insured may select a licensed athletic trainer to provide the
services scheduled in the health insurance policy that are within
the scope of the athletic trainer's license.
SECTION 5. This Act applies only to a health insurance
policy or contract or an evidence of coverage that is delivered,
issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2006. A
health insurance policy or contract or an evidence of coverage that
is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1,
2006, is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the
effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for
that purpose.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.