2005S0540-1  03/10/05


By:  Deuell                                                       S.B. No. 1774


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to access to certain obstetrical or gynecological care 
provided by qualified physicians, including family physicians.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 1451.255, Insurance Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:
	(c-1)  A health benefit plan shall provide notice to its 
female enrollees of their right to select a properly credentialed 
family physician who provides obstetrical or gynecological care to 
enrollees within the network to provide the enrollee with health 
care services described by Subsection (a).  The notice must include 
a listing of properly credentialed family physicians providing 
obstetrical and gynecological services to enrollees within the 
network and the notice of available providers required under 
Section 1451.258.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to a health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, 
amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2006, including a 
contract that renews from one term to the next in the absence of 
contrary notice by one of the parties.  A health benefit plan that 
is delivered, issued for delivery, amended, or renewed before 
January 1, 2006, is governed by the law as it existed immediately 
before that date, and that law is continued in effect for that 
purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.