By: Zerwas (Senate Sponsor - Watson) H.B. No. 389

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 16, 2009; April 27, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; May 15, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 15, 2009, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requirements for expedited credentialing of certain physicians by managed care plans.

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

SECTION 1. Section 1452.101(5), Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

(5) "Medical group" means:

(A) a single legal entity owned by two or more physicians;

(B) a professional association composed of licensed physicians; [corporation] or

(C) any other business entity composed of licensed physicians as permitted under Subchapter B, Chapter 162, Occupations Code.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to credentialing of a physician under a contract entered into or renewed by a medical group and an issuer of a managed care plan on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract entered into or renewed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

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