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.