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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to health benefit plan coverage for early childhood |
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intervention services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1367.201, Insurance Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 1367.201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, |
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rehabilitative and habilitative therapies include: |
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(1) occupational therapy evaluations and services; |
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(2) physical therapy evaluations and services; |
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(3) speech therapy evaluations and services; [and] |
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(4) dietary or nutritional evaluations and services; |
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(5) audiology; |
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(6) developmental services; |
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(7) early identification, screening, and assessment; |
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(8) family counseling; |
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(9) family education; |
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(10) nursing services; |
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(11) psychological services; |
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(12) service coordination; |
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(13) social work services; |
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(14) vision services; and |
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(15) assistive technology services and devices. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1367.205, Insurance Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) A health benefit plan must provide [that provides] |
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coverage for rehabilitative and habilitative therapies [under this
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subchapter may not prohibit or restrict payment for covered
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services] provided to a child and determined to be necessary to and |
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provided in accordance with an individualized family service plan |
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issued by the Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention |
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under Chapter 73, Human Resources Code. |
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(b-1) A health benefit plan may not prohibit or restrict |
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payment for covered services described by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, or |
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renewed on or after January 1, 2012. A health benefit plan that is |
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delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2012, |
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is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the |
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effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for |
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that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |