79R6179 KCR-D

By:  Farrar                                                       H.B. No. 1872



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to health benefit plan coverage for reconstructive surgery 
following mastectomy.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 1357.002, Insurance Code, as effective 
April 1, 2005, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 1357.002.  APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER.  (a) This 
subchapter applies only to a health benefit plan that provides 
benefits for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of a 
health condition, accident, or sickness, including an individual, 
group, blanket, or franchise insurance policy or insurance 
agreement, a group hospital service contract, or an individual or 
group evidence of coverage or similar coverage document that is 
offered by:
		(1)  an insurance company;                                                    
		(2)  a group hospital service corporation operating 
under Chapter 842;      
		(3)  a fraternal benefit society operating under 
Chapter 885;               
		(4)  a stipulated premium company operating under 
Chapter 884;              
		(5)  a reciprocal exchange operating under Chapter 942;                       
		(6)  a health maintenance organization operating under 
Chapter 843;         
		(7)  a multiple employer welfare arrangement that holds 
a certificate of authority under Chapter 846; or
		(8)  an approved nonprofit health corporation that 
holds a certificate of authority under Chapter 844.
	(b)  Notwithstanding any other law, a standard health 
benefit plan provided under Chapter 1507 or Article 3.80 or 20A.09N 
must provide the coverage required by this subchapter.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to a health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, or 
renewed on or after January 1, 2006.  A health benefit plan that is 
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2006, 
is covered by the law in effect at the time the health benefit plan 
was delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed, and that law is 
continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.