81(R) HB 103 - Enrolled version

Under provisions of the bill, the student health center of an institution of higher education with a total student enrollment of more than 20,000 students in one or more semesters of the preceding academic year would be required to assist students by filing or having a claim filed with the health benefit plan issuer on their behalf. An institution of higher education could contract with a health benefit plan issuer to provide health care services under the plan to students. The bill would also require general academic institutions (or system offices, if applicable) to offer at least one "high deductible" health benefit plan to students.

An institution of higher education, on behalf of the institution's student health center, may contract with a health benefit plan issuer that engages in the business of insurance in the health services region established by the Department of State Health Services in which the institution is located to provide a health benefit plan under which health care services are provided to students or other persons entitled to obtain health care services through the student health center who are covered by the plan. An institution would be required to enter into contracts with at least three of the largest health benefit plan issuers that engage in the business of insurance in the health service region established by the Department of State Health Services in which the institution is located under which the institution's student health center serves as a preferred provider under the preferred provider benefit plans operated by the issuers or operates as a provider of in-network coverage under the health maintenance organizations operated by the issuers.

Not later than January 15 of each year, the governing board of each institution of higher education would report to the Legislature the amount and sources of income for the funding the student health center including monies received from student fees and charges, health center pharmacy, claims filed under a health benefit plan sponsored by the institution, and claims filed under health benefit plans not sponsored by the institution. Several institutions indicated there could be additional administrative costs associated with implementing the legislation including filing claims and processing. The University of Texas System has indicated that these costs could be covered by increases in the student medical services fee.

The bill also provides that before registering a student must provide a certificate evidencing that the student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. This section of the bill applies to first-time students, including transfer students, who reside in an on-campus dormitory or housing facility at the institution. A student is not required to comply if an affidavit or a certificate is presented stating that the vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student or stating that the vaccination has been declined for reasons of conscience. This section of the bill would be known as the Jamie Schanbaum Act. This section would be implemented within current resources.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


May 28, 2009

TO:	Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives

FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB103 by Brown, Fred (Relating to the operation of certain health benefit plans through student health centers of certain institutions of higher education.), As Passed 2nd House