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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the designation of certain physicians as preferred |
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providers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1301.051(e), Insurance Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(e) An insurer may not withhold a designation to: |
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(1) a podiatrist described by Section 1301.0521; or |
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(2) a physician described by Section 1301.0522. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 1301, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1301.0522 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1301.0522. DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN PHYSICIANS AS |
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PREFERRED PROVIDERS. (a) Notwithstanding Section 1301.051, an |
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insurer may not withhold the designation of preferred provider to a |
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physician who: |
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(1) joins the professional practice of a contracted |
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preferred provider; |
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(2) applies to the insurer for designation as a |
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preferred provider; and |
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(3) complies with the terms and conditions of |
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eligibility to be a preferred provider. |
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(b) A physician designated as a preferred provider under |
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this section must comply with the terms of the preferred provider |
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contract used by the insurer or the insurer's network provider. |
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SECTION 3. Section 1301.0522, Insurance Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies only to an application for a designation as a |
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preferred provider submitted to an insurer on or after the |
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effective date of this Act. An application submitted before that |
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date 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, 2015. |