Honorable John T. Smithee, Chair, House Committee On Insurance
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2299 by Muñoz, Jr. (Relating to certain provisions applicable to an optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, or ophthalmologist providing services under a managed care plan.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Insurance Code relating to certain provisions applicable to an optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, or ophthalmologist providing services under a managed care plan. The bill would prohibit managed care plans from using different contractual terms and conditions for optometrists, therapeutic optometrists, or ophthalmologists solely because a practitioner is an optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, or ophthalmologist. The bill would apply to contracts after January 1, 2014.
Based on information provided by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), it is assumed that any costs associated with the implementation of this bill would be absorbed within existing staff and resources. Also, based on information provided by TDI, this analysis assumes that implementation of the bill would result in an increase in filings in order to disclose the information required and a one-time revenue gain ($2,100 in fiscal year 2014) in General Revenue-Dedicated Texas Department of Insurance Fund 36 from filing fees. Since General Revenue-Dedicated Texas Department of Insurance Fund 36 is a self-leveling account, this analysis also assumes that any additional revenue resulting from the implementation of the bill would accumulate in account fund balances and that the department would adjust the assessment of the maintenance tax or other fees accordingly in the following year. Based on the analysis provided by the Optometry Board, it is assumed the bill would not have a fiscal impact on this agency.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.