By: Carona, Deuell S.B. No. 730

(In the Senate - Filed February 16, 2007; March 6, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; May 3, 2007, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 3, 2007, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study concerning maximum lifetime benefit limits under health benefit plan coverage applicable to hemophilia-related services, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and biologics.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "department" means the Texas Department of Insurance.

SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The department shall conduct a study of the maximum lifetime benefit limits under health benefit plan coverage as those limits are applied to hemophilia-related services, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and biologics.

(b) In conducting the study, the department shall consult health benefit plan issuers, physicians, organizations representing the interests of individuals with hemophilia, and the office of public insurance counsel.

(c) The study must consider the manner in which hemophilia-related services, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and biologics are provided by the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2008, the department shall report the results of the study conducted under this Act to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. The report must include:

(1) the estimated cost for an enrollee of providing coverage for hemophilia-related services, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and biologics without a maximum lifetime benefit limit or with an increased maximum lifetime benefit limit;

(2) a review of the benefits to enrollees of providing coverage for hemophilia-related services, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and biologics without a maximum lifetime benefit limit or with an increased maximum lifetime benefit limit; and

(3) the recommendation of the commissioner of insurance, if any, for legislation concerning the maximum lifetime benefit limits under health benefit plan coverage as those limits are applied to hemophilia-related services, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and biologics.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires June 1, 2009.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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