83R985 KKR-D

By: Kuempel H.B. No. 521

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to direct payment by an automobile insurer to emergency medical services providers.

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

SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 10, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Chapter 1954 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 1954. ASSIGNMENT AND DIRECT PAYMENT OF CERTAIN BENEFITS

UNDER AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICY

Sec. 1954.001. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This chapter applies to an insurer writing automobile insurance in this state, including an insurance company, corporation, reciprocal or interinsurance exchange, mutual insurance company, association, Lloyd's plan, or other insurer.

Sec. 1954.002. ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS OPTION REQUIRED. An automobile insurance policy claim form must provide an option for the claimant to assign benefits to an emergency medical services provider who provides ambulance services or other services covered under the policy in connection with an occurrence covered by the policy. The automobile insurer may require a written attestation of assignment of benefits.

Sec. 1954.003. DIRECT PAYMENT PROVISION AUTHORIZED. An automobile insurance policy may provide for payment of benefits directly to an emergency medical services provider who provides ambulance services or other services covered under the policy in connection with an occurrence covered by the policy, even in the absence of an assignment of benefits.

SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an insurance policy delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2014. An insurance policy delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2014, is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.