| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to coverage for autism spectrum disorder under certain |
|
|
health benefit plans. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 1355.002(b), Insurance Code, is amended |
|
|
to read as follows: |
|
|
(b) Notwithstanding any provision in Chapter 1551, 1575, or |
|
|
1579 or in any other law, Section 1355.015 applies to: |
|
|
(1) a basic coverage plan under Chapter 1551; |
|
|
(2) a basic plan under Chapter 1575; and |
|
|
(3) [(2)] a primary care coverage plan under Chapter |
|
|
1579. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 1355.015(a), Insurance Code, is amended |
|
|
to read as follows: |
|
|
(a) At a minimum, a health benefit plan must provide |
|
|
coverage as provided by this section to an enrollee who is diagnosed |
|
|
with autism spectrum disorder from the date of diagnosis until the |
|
|
enrollee completes 17 [nine] years of age. If an enrollee who is |
|
|
being treated for autism spectrum disorder becomes 18 [10] years of |
|
|
age or older and continues to need treatment, this subsection does |
|
|
not preclude coverage of treatment and services described by |
|
|
Subsection (b). |
|
|
SECTION 3. (a) The change in law made by Section |
|
|
1355.002(b), Insurance Code, as amended by this Act, applies only |
|
|
to a basic coverage plan provided under Chapter 1551, Insurance |
|
|
Code, beginning with the 2011-2012 plan year. A plan year before |
|
|
2011-2012 is governed by the law as it existed immediately before |
|
|
September 1, 2011, and that law is continued in effect for that |
|
|
purpose. |
|
|
(b) The change in law made by Section 1355.015(a), Insurance |
|
|
Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a health benefit plan |
|
|
that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after |
|
|
September 1, 2011. A health benefit plan that is delivered, issued |
|
|
for delivery, or renewed before September 1, 2011, is covered by the |
|
|
law in effect at the time the health benefit plan is delivered, |
|
|
issued for delivery, or renewed, and that law is continued in effect |
|
|
for that purpose. |
|
|
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
|
|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
|
|
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
|
|
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
|
|
Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |