BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1570
81R8494 PB-F By: Thompson, Laubenberg (Jackson, Mike)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Podiatrists want to be reimbursed the same amount of money as medical doctors who perform the same services. They would like similar statutory language regarding methodology that is provided for advance practice nurses, nurse first assistants, licensed surgical assistants, and physician assistants.
This legislation will allow podiatrists to receive comparable reimbursement from heath insurers.
H.B. 1570 amends current law relating to reimbursement under preferred provider benefit plans for services provided by licensed podiatrists.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 1301.062, Insurance Code, as follows:
Sec. 1301.062. PREFERRED PROVIDER CONTRACTS BETWEEN INSURERS AND PODIATRISTS. (a) Defines "podiatrist."
(b) Creates this subsection from existing text. Requires that a preferred provider contract (contract) between an insurer and a podiatrist provide certain information, including that the methodology used to compute the amount of payment or reimbursement for services or procedures covered by the contract is the same as the methodology used to compute the amount of payment or reimbursement when the services or procedures are provided by a physician. Deletes existing text requiring that a contract between an insurer and a podiatrist licensed by the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners provide certain information. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2010.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.