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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to group health benefit plan coverage for loss or |
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impairment of speech, language, or hearing. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 1365, Insurance Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 1365. LOSS OR IMPAIRMENT OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, OR HEARING |
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SECTION 2. Section 1365.003, Insurance Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) A group health benefit plan issuer shall offer and make |
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available under the plan coverage for the necessary care and |
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treatment of loss or impairment of speech, language, or hearing for |
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a covered individual, including a person covered as a dependent |
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under the plan. |
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(c) A coverage or premium quotation for the purchase or |
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renewal of a group contract must include an offer of coverage |
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described by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 3. Chapter 1365, Insurance Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 1365.005 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1365.005. COVERAGE REQUIRED. (a) A group health |
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benefit plan issuer shall provide coverage under the plan for the |
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necessary care and treatment of loss or impairment of speech, |
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language, or hearing for a person covered as a dependent child under |
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the plan. |
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(b) Coverage required under this section: |
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(1) may not be less favorable than coverage for a |
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physical illness under the plan; and |
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(2) must be subject to the same durational limits, |
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dollar limits, deductibles, and coinsurance factors as coverage for |
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a physical illness under the plan. |
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SECTION 4. This Act applies only to an insurance policy that |
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is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, |
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2012. A policy delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before |
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January 1, 2012, is governed by the law as it existed immediately |
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before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in |
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effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |