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By:  King of Zavala                                               H.B. No. 2371



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the use of acupuncturists as health care providers 
under certain health benefit plans.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 843, Insurance Code, is 
amended by adding Section 843.3046 to read as follows:
	Sec. 843.3046.  ACUPUNCTURE.  (a)  If a health maintenance 
organization offers acupuncture as a covered service, then it may 
not refuse to pay for acupuncture services solely because the 
service was provided by an acupuncturist.
	(b)  Nothing in this Subchapter requires a health 
maintenance organization to offer acupuncture as a covered service.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter 1301, Insurance Code, as effective 
April 1, 2005, is amended by adding Section 1301.0523 to read as 
follows:
	Sec. 1301.0523.  ACUPUNCTURE.  (a)  If an insurer offering a 
preferred provider benefit plan offers acupuncture as a covered 
service, then it may not refuse to pay for acupuncture services 
solely because the service was provided by an acupuncturist.
	(b)  Nothing in this Subchapter requires an insurer offering 
a preferred provider benefit plan to offer acupuncture as a covered 
service.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.